# The Fly

> 1986 film by David Cronenberg

**Wikidata**: [Q468700](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q468700)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fly_(1986_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-fly

## Summary
*The Fly* is a 1986 science fiction horror film directed by David Cronenberg, produced by Fox and distributed by 20th Century Fox. It is a remake of the 1958 film of the same name and is widely recognized for its grotesque body horror, emotional depth, and groundbreaking special effects. The film stars Jeff Goldblum, Geena Davis, and John Getz, and tells the story of a scientist whose teleportation experiment goes horrifically wrong.

## Key Facts
- **Title**: *The Fly*  
- **Director**: David Cronenberg  
- **Release Date**: August 15, 1986 (United States), January 8, 1987 (international)  
- **Country of Origin**: United States, Canada  
- **Production Company**: SLM Production Group, distributed by 20th Century Fox  
- **Genre**: Science fiction, horror, drama  
- **Runtime**: 92 minutes  
- **Awards**:  
  - Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling (1987)  
  - National Board of Review: Top Ten Films (1986)  
- **Sequel**: *The Fly II* (1989)  
- **Box Office Grosses**: $40,456,565 (US), $60,629,159 (worldwide)  
- **Budget**: $9 million  
- **IMDb Rating**: 8.4/10  
- **Rotten Tomatoes**: 94%  
- **Metacritic Score**: 81/100  
- **Cast**: Jeff Goldblum (Seth Brundle), Geena Davis (Veronica Quaife), John Getz (Stathis Borans)  
- **Cinematography**: Mark Irwin  
- **Editing**: Ronald Sanders  
- **Music**: Howard Shore  
- **Special Effects**: Chris Walas  
- **Makeup**: Chris Walas, Stephan Dupuis  
- **Film Format**: 35 mm  
- **Language**: English  
- **Color**: Color  
- **Sound Mix**: Dolby Stereo  
- **Aspect Ratio**: 1.85:1  
- **Wikidata ID**: Q11859  
- **IMDb ID**: tt0091064  
- **Library of Congress Control Number**: n91110943  
- **VIAF ID**: 220039663  
- **GND ID**: 7741842-6  
- **BFI Film ID**: 3002  
- **FilmAffinity ID**: 6750  
- **AllMovie ID**: movie/the-fly  
- **Box Office Mojo ID**: 2460  
- **TCM Film ID**: 2460  
- **Amg Pop ID**: 2216  
- **AMG TV ID**: 1789  
- **Rotten Tomatoes ID**: 7964  
- **TV Guide ID**: 11059  
- **Wikiquotes ID**: The_Fly  
- **Wikimedia Commons Category**: The Fly (1986 film)  
- **Logo File**: The-fly-logo-1986.svg  

## FAQs

**What is *The Fly* about?**  
*The Fly* is a science fiction horror film about a brilliant but eccentric scientist, Seth Brundle, who develops a teleportation device. After accidentally merging his DNA with that of a housefly during a teleportation experiment, he undergoes a terrifying physical and psychological transformation.

**Who directed *The Fly*?**  
*The Fly* was directed by David Cronenberg, a Canadian filmmaker known for his work in the body horror genre. He also co-wrote the screenplay with George Goldsmith.

**Is *The Fly* based on a book or previous film?**  
Yes, it is a loose remake of the 1958 film *The Fly*, which was based on a short story by George Langelaan published in 1957.

**What awards did *The Fly* win?**  
It won the Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling and was named one of the Top Ten Films of 1986 by the National Board of Review.

**Who stars in *The Fly*?**  
The main cast includes Jeff Goldblum as Seth Brundle, Geena Davis as Veronica Quaife, and John Getz as Stathis Borans.

**What is the runtime of *The Fly*?**  
The film has a runtime of 92 minutes.

**Where was *The Fly* produced?**  
It was produced in both the United States and Canada.

**What is the sequel to *The Fly*?**  
The sequel is *The Fly II*, released in 1989, directed by Chris Walas.

**What is the significance of the special effects in *The Fly*?**  
The film is renowned for its groundbreaking and disturbingly realistic practical effects, particularly the body horror transformations, created by Chris Walas.

**What is the genre of *The Fly*?**  
It is classified as a science fiction horror film with elements of drama.

**What is the budget and box office performance of *The Fly*?**  
The film had a budget of $9 million and grossed $40,456,565 domestically and $60,629,159 worldwide.

**What is the critical reception of *The Fly*?**  
It received critical acclaim, with a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an 8.4/10 rating on IMDb.

**What is the significance of the makeup in *The Fly*?**  
The makeup, designed by Chris Walas and Stephan Dupuis, won the Academy Award and is considered one of the most iconic in horror film history.

## Why It Matters
*The Fly* is a landmark in the horror and science fiction genres, combining Cronenberg’s signature body horror with emotional storytelling. It redefined the standards for practical effects and makeup in cinema and influenced a generation of filmmakers. The film’s exploration of transformation, identity, and the consequences of unchecked scientific ambition resonates with audiences and scholars alike. Its critical and commercial success helped establish Cronenberg as a master of modern horror and elevated the status of genre films in mainstream cinema.

## Notable For
- Being a critically acclaimed remake of the 1958 classic  
- Jeff Goldblum’s iconic and disturbing performance  
- Groundbreaking special and makeup effects that won an Academy Award  
- One of the most memorable body horror films of the 1980s  
- A rare blend of horror, science fiction, and emotional drama  
- Influencing modern horror and science fiction filmmaking  
- Being a cultural touchstone in discussions of transformation and identity  
- High rewatchability and enduring fanbase  
- A successful box office run despite its R-rated content  
- Inspiring a sequel, *The Fly II* (1989)  

## Body

### Overview
*The Fly* (1986) is a science fiction horror film directed by David Cronenberg. It tells the story of Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum), a brilliant but eccentric scientist who invents a teleportation device. During one of his experiments, he accidentally merges his DNA with that of a housefly, leading to a grotesque physical and psychological transformation. The film is a loose remake of the 1958 version and is widely regarded as a masterpiece of body horror.

### Production and Release
The film was produced by SLM Production Group and distributed by 20th Century Fox. It was released in the United States on August 15, 1986, and internationally on January 8, 1987. The film was shot in Toronto, Canada, and had a budget of $9 million. It grossed $40,456,565 in the United States and $60,629,159 worldwide.

### Cast and Crew
- **Director**: David Cronenberg  
- **Writers**: George Goldsmith (screenplay), Charles Edward Pogue (screen story), David Cronenberg (screenplay)  
- **Stars**:  
  - Jeff Goldblum as Seth Brundle  
  - Geena Davis as Veronica Quaife  
  - John Getz as Stathis Borans  
- **Cinematography**: Mark Irwin  
- **Editing**: Ronald Sanders  
- **Music**: Howard Shore  
- **Special Effects**: Chris Walas  
- **Makeup**: Chris Walas, Stephan Dupuis  

### Awards and Recognition
- **Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling** (1987)  
- **National Board of Review: Top Ten Films** (1986)  

### Critical Reception
The film received widespread critical acclaim. It holds an 8.4/10 rating on IMDb and a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praised its disturbing practical effects, emotional depth, and Goldblum’s performance.

### Sequel
A sequel, *The Fly II*, was released in 1989, directed by Chris Walas, who also worked on the special effects for the original.

### Cultural Impact
*The Fly* is considered one of the most influential horror films of the 1980s. It redefined the body horror genre and influenced countless filmmakers. The film’s exploration of transformation and identity continues to resonate with audiences and scholars.

### Technical Specifications
- **Runtime**: 92 minutes  
- **Color**: Color  
- **Sound Mix**: Dolby Stereo  
- **Aspect Ratio**: 1.85:1  
- **Film Format**: 35 mm  

### Legacy
The film’s legacy is cemented by its critical acclaim, award recognition, and cultural impact. It remains a touchstone in discussions of science fiction and horror cinema and continues to influence modern filmmaking.

## References

1. IMDb
2. FilmAffinity
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5. AlloCiné
6. Metacritic
7. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1987)
8. The Movie Database
9. The Fly. Rotten Tomatoes
10. The American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures
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12. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091064/releaseinfo/)
13. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091064/releaseinfo)
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15. [Source](https://www.fsk.de/asp/filestream.asp?dir=karte&file=0708%5C56952VDVD%2Epdf)
16. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091064/technical/)
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