Basket Case (1982)

Basket Case (1982) is a darkly comic horror about Duane Bradley, a naive young man who arrives in New York carrying a large basket — and a secret. The basket hides his surgically removed Siamese twin, a grotesquely deformed creature who believes the doctors who separated them stole his right to live. Driven by hatred, the twin manipulates Duane into a campaign of grisly revenge. The setup moves from awkward, oddly sweet character moments to escalating violence and a grim, chaotic finale. Watching this film, you’ll get a mix of low-budget 1980s exploitation charm and unabashed body-horror: practical effects, gooey make-up, and deliberately shocking visuals that aim to disgust and amuse in equal measure. The tone swings between black comedy and genuine menace — the brothers’ relationship is oddly sympathetic at times, even as the twin’s actions become more brutal. Expect motel-room awkwardness, offbeat city encounters, and an increasing sense of doom as Duane’s attempt at a normal life unravels. The experience is cult-movie territory: rough around the edges, intentionally transgressive, and propelled by a single, memorable conceit. If you enjoy films that blend grotesque special effects, dark humor, and outsider characters with a revenge plot that refuses to be neat or moralizing, Basket Case delivers a provocative, unsettling ride rather than a polished, conventional horror flick. Content warning: pronounced body horror, gore, and disturbing imagery.

Actors: Kevin Van Hentenryck, Terri Susan Smith, Beverly Bonner

Director: Frank Henenlotter

Runtime: 91 min

Genres: Comedy, Horror

5.4 /10 77 /100 6.1 /10 6.4 /10