ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Forgotten Horror 8 kicks off with "Videodrome", David Cronenberg’s surreal blend of horror, science fiction, and media paranoia.
Both Mike Butler and Mike Field enjoy the film, especially its unforgettable imagery and the ideas running underneath it. The practical effects and body horror are a huge part of why "Videodrome" has endured as a favorite among cinephiles, but its themes may be even more striking today. Viewed through a 2026 lens, the film’s obsession with television, media consumption, manipulation, and the increasingly blurred line between reality and what we see on a screen feels remarkably prescient.
Where both Mikes struggle is the third act. The movie spends most of its runtime following a strange but recognizable narrative, then suddenly begins abandoning the rules and explanations it had established. Earlier moments of madness still feel connected to the plot. By the end, things simply start happening, leaving the finale feeling rushed and unsatisfying.
James Woods’ Max Renn suffers the most from that shift. Rather than completing a meaningful character arc, he essentially reaches the end of his life without reaching a satisfying conclusion as a character. Both Butler and Field would have preferred to see him ultimately emerge as the hero, or perhaps even more interestingly, fully transform into the villain the story had been building toward.
Even with those frustrations, "Videodrome" remains a fascinating piece of filmmaking and a movie that feels increasingly relevant as technology and media continue changing the way people experience the world.
The Mikes even wonder whether there is room for a modern spiritual sequel, one that tells its own story about today’s media landscape while leaving just enough of a connection to Videodrome for longtime fans.
All this while enjoying a themed beverage as part of their "Killer Drinks" companion series.
Long live the new flesh, and welcome to Forgotten Horror 8.
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0:00 - Introduction
3:12 - Videodrome Drink
6:10 - Film Facts
13:17 - Film Discussion
31:47 - Reviews
36:25 - Who Would You Recommend This To?
40:16 - Why Is This Forgotten?
43:04 - Plugs
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