"Shivers" (1975)

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Directed by David Cronenberg, Shivers, also known as They Came from Within, is a terrific film on many levels.  At the core, it is a grimy horror flick complete with naked women, parasitic worms, and gruesome orgies.  However, it also represents a deeper message-- the spread of HIV, which didn't occur until years after its release!  The story takes place in a suburban apartment building where a strain of parasitic worms are released into the pool of residents.  The worm isn't spread by air or blood, but instead by sex-- which it then commands its new hosts to do repeatedly.  Overall, it is an excellent scare, but it also is a social commentary on the consequences of free sex.  Is David Cronenberg a Republican, or just a crazed fan of creepy bathtub scenes?  You decide.

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Buy Shivers at Amazon, or rent it from Netflix.  Before you decide, check out this old-school trailer from They Came from Within....



P.S. Did you know that Shivers was made in just 15 days?  Pretty impressive, especially considering today's standards.....