Belial Bradley is a grotesque little creature who lives in a basket. His twin brother—or rather, his surgically separated conjoined twin—Duane Bradley carries him around in this basket as they travel. Their current stop: a cheap hotel in New York. Belial is on a mission of revenge against the doctors who separated him from Duane and left him to die in the trash.
What follows is a bizarre splatterfest laced with twisted, dark humour—exactly what you can expect from Basket Case.
Director Frank Henenlotter is obsessed with low-budget horror and cult films. He now works with Something Weird Video, restoring obscure exploitation flicks. Back in 1978, he began making his own ultra-low-budget horror film. With an initial budget of just $7,000, the final cost ballooned to $160,000 by the time it was completed in 1982. Although Basket Case was originally made just for fun, it went on to become a beloved cult hit—something Henenlotter himself is still somewhat embarrassed about due to the critical praise.
The film is often mentioned in the same breath as Bad Taste, and while it shares the same appeal to fans of trashy, outrageous cinema, Basket Case is a rougher, grungier ride. It’s more comparable to the output of Troma, with its offbeat tone and warped humour. If you enjoy “bad movies,” this one’s for you. The effects are bottom-tier—some animation looks like it belongs in children’s claymation shows, and not in a horror film. It’s hilariously awful. But despite the poor visuals, there’s a certain charm to the direction and camera work.
The acting is generally weak, as expected from an amateur cast who never acted again, but it still slightly exceeds expectations (though don’t raise yours too much). If you enjoy weird, offbeat horror with a sense of humour about itself, Basket Case can be a surprisingly entertaining experience. It’s definitely not for everyone—the effects are terrible, but that’s part of the film’s goofy charm. The story is fun, the humour is strong, and despite a few slow spots, it’s a movie you won’t soon forget. Guaranteed.
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