Scanners (1981) Movie Review: A Glimpse Into Telepathic Powers and Human Conflict

TLDRIn the sci-fi horror film Scanners, a small group of people with telepathic abilities called scanners are planning to wage war against ordinary humans. The main character, Cameron, is tasked with infiltrating the group and stopping the conflict. While the film has its flaws, including wooden acting and confusing moments, it has memorable scenes, engaging reveals, and intense body horror that make it worth watching.

Key insights

🧠Scanners explores the implications of a world where people have telepathic abilities.

🔍The opening scene with a head explosion is iconic and gory.

💀The body horror in the film, especially in the final conflict, is intense and cringe-worthy.

🎭Michael Ironside's performance as the main villain is captivating and adds depth to the film.

The second half of the film is more engaging, with intriguing reveals and thought-provoking moments.

Q&A

What is the premise of Scanners?

Scanners is a sci-fi horror film about a small group of people called scanners, who have telepathic abilities. There is a theory that some scanners are planning to wage war against ordinary humans.

What is the main character's mission in the film?

The main character, Cameron, is tasked with infiltrating the group of scanners and stopping them from causing a conflict with ordinary humans.

What are the standout moments in Scanners?

The opening scene with a head explosion is memorable and gory. The final conflict showcases intense body horror. Michael Ironside gives a captivating performance as the main villain.

What are the flaws of the film?

The acting performances, except for Michael Ironside's, are not particularly compelling. There are some confusing moments in the story that could have been better explained.

Is Scanners worth watching?

Despite its flaws, Scanners is an interesting film, especially for fans of David Cronenberg's horror movies. It has engaging moments, intriguing reveals, and intense body horror that make it worth a watch.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Welcome back to the channel and my review of the 1981 film Scanners.

01:40The opening scene with a head explosion is iconic and gory, and I recognized it from other sources.

06:16The second half of the film is more engaging, with intriguing reveals and thought-provoking moments.

06:55The final conflict showcases intense body horror, with gruesome effects that are hard to watch but fascinating.