David Cronenberg is a Canadian film director, screenwriter, and actor. He is known as a principal originator of the genre commonly known as body horror, with his films exploring visceral bodily transformation, infectious diseases, and the intertwining of the psychological, physical, and technological. Cronenberg is best known for exploring these themes through sci-fi horror films such as Shivers (1975), Scanners (1981), Videodrome (1983) and The Fly (1986), though he has also directed dramas, psychological thrillers and gangster films.[1]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ed/David_Cronenberg_%286138909761%29.jpg/220px-David_Cronenberg_%286138909761%29.jpg)
He also directed the psychological thriller Dead Ringers (1988), the surrealist drama Naked Lunch (1991), erotic thriller Crash (1996), the action thriller A History of Violence (2005), the gangster film Eastern Promises (2007), the erotic historical drama A Dangerous Method (2011), the drama Cosmopolis (2012), the satirical drama Maps to the Stars (2014), and the science fiction horror film Crimes of the Future (2022). Six of his films were selected to compete for the Palme d'Or. He is known for frequently collaborating with actor Viggo Mortensen.
Film
editYear | Title | Credited as | Notes | Ref(s) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Director | Writer | Producer | Editor | Other | ||||
1969 | Stereo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes[a] | [2] | |
1970 | Crimes of the Future | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes[b] | [2] | |
1975 | Shivers | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | [3] | |
1977 | Rabid | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | [4] | |
1979 | Fast Company | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | [5] | |
1979 | The Brood | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | [6] | |
1980 | Scanners | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | [7] | |
1983 | Videodrome | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | [8] | |
1983 | The Dead Zone | Yes | No | No | No | No | [9] | |
1986 | The Fly | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | [10] | |
1988 | Dead Ringers | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | [11] | |
1991 | Naked Lunch | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | [12] | |
1993 | M. Butterfly | Yes | No | No | No | No | [13] | |
1996 | Crash | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | [14] | |
1999 | Existenz | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | [15] | |
2002 | Spider | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | [15] | |
2005 | A History of Violence | Yes | No | No | No | No | [15] | |
2007 | Eastern Promises | Yes | No | No | No | No | [15] | |
2011 | A Dangerous Method | Yes | No | No | No | No | [15] | |
2012 | Cosmopolis | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | [15] | |
2014 | Maps to the Stars | Yes | No | No | No | No | [15] | |
2022 | Crimes of the Future | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | ||
2024 | The Shrouds | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
Acting roles
editYear | Title | Role | Notes | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1967 | Black Zero | Nude scene | Uncredited | [16] |
1975 | Shivers | Infected Crowd Member | ||
1983 | Videodrome | Max Renn (Helmet Scenes) | ||
1985 | Into the Night | Ed's supervisor in the boardroom | Cameo | |
1986 | The Fly | Gynecologist in the dream sequence | Cameo | |
1988 | Dead Ringers | Obstetrician | Uncredited cameo | |
1990 | Nightbreed | Dr. Philip K. Decker | ||
1992 | Blue | Directed by Don McKellar | [17] | |
1994 | Trial by Jury | Director | [18] | |
Boozecan | Stan Coleburn | [17] | ||
Henry & Verlin | Doc Fisher | |||
1995 | To Die For | Man at the Lake | Cameo | |
Blood and Donuts | Crime Boss | [18] | ||
1996 | The Stupids | Postal supervisor | Cameo | [18] |
Extreme Measures | Hospital Lawyer | |||
1998 | Last Night | Duncan | ||
The Grace of God | Psychiatrist | [18] | ||
1999 | Resurrection | Father Rousell | ||
2002 | Jason X | Dr. Wimmer | ||
2010 | Barney's Version | O'Malley Director No. 2 | Cameo | |
2020 | Disappearance at Clifton Hill | Walter | ||
Falling | Proctologist |
Short films
editYear | Title | Director | Writer | Producer | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1966 | Transfer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Also editor and cinematographer | [19] |
1967 | From the Drain | Yes | Yes | No | [20] | |
2000 | Camera | Yes | Yes | No | Made for the 2000 Toronto International Film Festival's Preludes program | [21] |
2007 | To Each His Own Cinema (Chacun son cinéma) |
Yes | No | No | segment: At the Suicide of the Last Jew in the World in the Last Cinema in the World |
[22] |
2013 | The Nest | Yes | No | No | NSFW short film | [23] |
2021 | The Death of David Cronenberg | Yes | Yes | No | Co-directed by Caitlin Cronenberg | [24] |
Television
editTV films
editYear | Title | Credited as | Notes | Ref(s) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Director | Writer | Producer | Editor | Other | ||||
1971 | Jim Ritchie Sculptor | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes[c] | Documentary short | [25][26] |
1971 | Letter from Michelangelo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes[d] | Documentary short | [25][27] |
1971 | Tourettes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes[e] | Documentary short | [25][27] |
1972 | Don Valley | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes[f] | Documentary short | [25][26] |
1972 | Fort York | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes[g] | Documentary short | [25][26] |
1972 | Lakeshore | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes[h] | Documentary short | [25][26] |
1972 | Winter Garden | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes[i] | Documentary short | [25][26] |
1972 | Scarborough Bluffs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes[j] | Documentary short | [25][26] |
1972 | In the Dirt | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes[k] | Documentary short | [25][26] |
TV series
editYear | Title | Director | Writer | Episodes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1972 | Program X | Yes | No | "Secret Weapons" | [26] |
1976 | Peep Show | Yes | No | "The Victim" and "The Lie Chair" | [26] |
Teleplay | Yes | Yes | "The Italian Machine" | [28] | |
1987 | Friday the 13th: The Series | Yes | No | "Faith Healer" | [29] |
1991 | Scales of Justice | Yes | No | "Regina vs Horvath" and "Regina vs Logan" | [30] |
Acting roles
editYear | Title | Role | Note | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
1997 | The Newsroom | Himself | Episode "Meltdown: Part 1" | |
2003 | Alias | Dr. Brezzel | 2 episodes | |
2013 | Rewind | Benjamin Rourke | TV movie | |
2017 | Pig Goat Banana Cricket | Dr. Cronenbird (Voice) | Episode "The Goofy Turkey Zone" | |
Alias Grace | Reverend Verringer | 4 episodes | [31] | |
2020–2024 | Star Trek: Discovery | Dr. Kovich / Agent Daniels | Recurring role, 8 episodes | [32] |
2021 | Slasher | Spencer Galloway | Main Role (Season 4) | [33] |
Commercials
editTitles | Client | Product | Agency | Production company | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hot Showers | Ontario Hydro | Energy conservation | Burghardt Wolowich Crunkhorn | The Partners' Film Company Ltd. | [34] |
Laundry | |||||
Cleaners | |||||
Timers | |||||
Bistro | William Neilson Ltd. | Cadbury Caramilk | Scali McCabe, Sloves (Canada) Ltd. | [35] | |
Surveillance | |||||
Transformation | Nike International | Nike Air 180 | Wieden and Kennedy | [36] |
References
edit- ^ "David Cronenberg: 10 essential films". British Film Institute. 14 March 2017. Archived from the original on 2022-03-16. Retrieved 2021-06-14.
- ^ a b Rodley 1997, p. 206.
- ^ Rodley 1997, p. 208.
- ^ Rodley 1997, p. 211.
- ^ Rodley 1997, p. 211-212.
- ^ Rodley 1997, p. 212.
- ^ Rodley 1997, p. 213.
- ^ Rodley 1997, p. 213-214.
- ^ Rodley 1997, p. 214-215.
- ^ Rodley 1997, p. 215.
- ^ Rodley 1997, p. 216-217.
- ^ Rodley 1997, p. 220.
- ^ Rodley 1997, p. 221.
- ^ Rodley 1997, p. 221-222.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Hurley C. Goodall obituary". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on June 10, 2024.
- ^ Mathijs 2008, p. 12.
- ^ a b Mathijs 2008, p. 199.
- ^ a b c d Mathijs 2008, p. 200.
- ^ "Transfer". MUBI. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
- ^ "From the Drain". MUBI. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
- ^ "CAMERA Short Film TIFF PRELUDE David Cronenberg: Virtual Exhibition". TIFF Originals. 4 March 2016. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
- ^ "To Each His Own Cinema". The Hollywood Reporter. 20 May 2007. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
- ^ "Watch: David Cronenberg's 9-Minute NSFW Short Film 'The Nest'". IndieWire. 30 June 2014. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
- ^ "The Death of David Cronenberg". MUBI. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Rodley 1997, p. 207.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Mathijs 2008, p. 277.
- ^ a b Mathijs 2008, p. 276.
- ^ Mathijs 2008, p. 278.
- ^ Mathijs 2008, p. 280.
- ^ Mathijs 2008, p. 281.
- ^ "David Cronenberg Joins Cast of Sarah Polley's 'Alias Grace' Series". IndieWire. 7 September 2016. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
- ^ "David Cronenberg on His Mysterious 'Star Trek: Discovery' Role: 'I Still Haven't Figured Everything Out' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. 11 December 2020. Archived from the original on 11 December 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
- ^ "Legendary filmmaker David Cronenberg on his role in Slasher: Flesh & Blood and his return to directing". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
- ^ "Cronenberg, David". Senses of Cinema. 18 April 2012. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
- ^ "Caramilk David Cronenberg". TIFF Originals. 4 March 2016. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
- ^ "Classic Commercial: Nike Air 180 Artist's Series". Complex. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
Notes
editWorks cited
edit- Mathijs, Ernest (2008). The Cinema of David Cronenberg: From Baron of Blood to Cultural Hero. Wallflower Press. ISBN 9781905674657.
- Rodley, Chris, ed. (1997). Cronenberg on Cronenberg. Faber and Faber. ISBN 0571191371.