SYNOPSIS
Duane Bradley and his twin brother, Belial, move to the Big Apple. Formerly conjoined twins, Belial now lives in a basket that Duane carts around, and both brothers are out for revenge against the medical establishment that separated them.
OPINION
Okay I have to be honest - Basket Case isn't even my favorite of the series. That said: I think Henenlotter is honestly a lesser-known master of the genre, and I think that still shines through in this film, which should have been an intolerably boring piece of dreck that substituted a saleable title pun for any real ideas. Instead, we get a genuine - if utterly fucked - interpretation of the concept of brotherly love here demonstrated by the well-meaning if a little gonzo Duane, and his dysfunctional, furious brother Belial. I recommend watching the entire trilogy - Basket Case 2 is really about the power and truth of finding your own family, and Basket Case 3 is about trying to live your truth in a world that wants to put its boot on your neck. Brain Damage and Frankenhooker - while still undeniably exploitation pieces - are also a lot more queer and positive than either title would lead you to believe.
CAST + CREW
Director: Frank Henenlotter (Frankenhooker, Brain Damage)
Cast: Kevin Van Hentenryck (Basket Case 2, Basket Case 3)
Beverly Bonner (Basket Case 2, Frankenhooker)
CONTENT (spoilered; highlight for warnings)
violence against women, sexual assault, exploitation of sex workers
CAREER STATS [on a scale from 1 (least) to 10 (most)]
FUN: 8
Pure no-budget rubber monster slasher splatter horror.
SCARINESS: 6
A tension level on par with other slashers of the era.
INTENSITY: 4
Low production values; the focus is on shock + asses-in-seats.
RECOMMENDABILITY: 7
A little too exploitationary, but a tight, fun, cheapo flick.
SEE ALSO:
Basket Case 2 and 3, Brain Damage, and Frankenhooker
