PopHorror Let's Get Scared
The 90s had some pretty wild and sometimes ridiculous ideas of what future tech awaited us. Brainscan was no exception.
Synopsis
Starring Edward Furlong (Terminator 2; 1991) and the legendary Frank Langella (Masters of the Universe; 1987), Brainscan tells the story of teenage horror hound Michael Brower, a loner who’s mom died in a car accident that also left him with permanent damage to his leg.
His dad is a workaholic so he pretty much has the freedom to do as he pleases, which mostly involves playing video games, watching horror movies and peeping on the girl next door, Kimberly (Amy Hargreaves; 13 Reasons Why 2020).
His best friend Kyle (Jamie Galen; X-Files 2000) tells him about this cutting-edge, interactive horror game called Brainscan. Which he instantly orders and has his life turned upside down as a result. The game is pretty simple, you get to play as a serial killer. The interactive part comes in where it’s your own environment and the people around you.
Michael’s first go is thrilling, but the thrill stops when one of the people in his neighborhood is brutally murdered in his own home. Enter the Trickster, a bizarre goblin-looking humanoid creature. The Trickster lives up to his name terrorizing Michael leading him to question if the game is even a game at all and if he really has become a brutal killer. Then there’s Frank Langella as Detective Hayden lying in wait, relentless and ready for Michael to slip up.
Mild-ish spoiler (I mean, the movie is 30 years old and you don’t exactly watch it for the suspense. The whole story culminates with The Trickster suggesting that he is Michael, and Michael that he’s letting them be free to be the version of himself that he wants to be.
So, What Was Good About It?
For me, at least now anyway, I think it’s the nostalgia. The movie is so 90’s it hurts, and when it came to movies and music etc., I love so much of what the 90’s had to offer. As a kid I loved it because I had a huge crush on Eddie Furlong and watched everything he was in. And I mean EVERYTHING (see A Home of Our Own.)
Overall, aside from some very dated, cringy inappropriate moments and themes, it’s fun. Plus I dig the music, composition by George S. Clinton and the soundtrack as well. I think everyone should check it out at least once. At the very least, you may have some enjoyment over how it’s aged like old milk. Or if you’re like me, you’ll cherish the nostalgia… And weirdness…
Brainscan often does a run on Tubi and Pluto, but currently is only available via VOD.
You can check out the trailer below!
