If you want proof that horror that doubles as social satire existed long before Get Out, look to Brian Yuzna’s 1989 shocker Society. The film spins a conspiracy about an exclusive circle of Beverly Hills elites who exploit the less fortunate — and then literalizes that corruption in a finale so grotesque and unforgettable it lodges in the memory. (I first encountered it in the 1990s; it still lingers.)
The opening credits tip their hand with “surrealistic make-up effects by Screaming Mad George,” so viewers expecting body-horror bravado get an early clue. Yet much of Society’s roughly 100-minute running time feels oddly sedate: a slow-moving yarn of yuppie unease carried on stiff line readings, awkward plotting, and glossy images of aspirational ’80s life underscored by banal synth cues. The plot follows privileged teen Bill (played by the memorably named Billy Warlock), who feels increasingly alienated from his affluent family and begins to suspect that his parents — and some classmates — belong to a depraved, possibly murderous clique. Each hint of proof, though, seems to slide out of his grasp.
That placid, almost soap-opera tone may not be accidental; the picture functions primarily to set up a single, monumental set-piece. When that sequence finally detonates, the contrast makes it even more potent. The climax erupts into an orgiastic cascade of body-horror that’s simultaneously repellent and darkly comic — grotesque spectacle rendered with a kind of gleeful, cartoonish abandon. The cast snaps out of their earlier lethargy and leans into the lunacy with refreshing carnival energy.
The finale is a sight to behold. If you thought the climax of The Substance pushed boundaries, Society takes the concept of excess to another level. It trades subtlety for audacity — as one Letterboxd commentator put it, top-tier “subtext is for cowards” filmmaking — and in doing so it mounts a viciously literal critique of privilege. The film’s message lands with a sting: consume the wealthy’s indulgences before they consume you.
Where to watch: Stream for free on Plex, or via subscription on Fubo and Night Flight Plus. You can also rent or purchase it through Fandango. For collectors with a multi-region Blu-ray player, Arrow’s U.K. edition presents the picture in a notably sharp transfer: Arrow’s physical release.
Polygon’s annual Halloween Countdown is a 31-day series of brief recommendations — the best horror films, TV episodes, and online specials to stream during the spooky season. You can view the full calendar here.
Source: Polygon
