2. Brain Damage (1988)
While cult film fans may be more familiar with Frank Henenlotters classic Basket Case series and Frankenhooker, its this underrated oddity that stands as his best work. Whether you look at it as a brilliant allegory on addiction or as a document of pre-Giuliani NYC, Brain Damage is a fantastic film disguised as a low rent B-movie horror comedy. Brian finds a weird talking parasite named Aylmer who sounds a lot like a late night horror host (probably because he was voiced by legendary horror host Zacherley). Aylmer has this thing for injecting a fluid into Brians brain which causes intense hallucinations and euphoria. Pretty simple, right? Except Aylmers got an appetite for brains, specifically human brains, and if Brian wants to keep getting that sweet Aylmer juice then hes got to help Aylmer get those brains. Funnily enough, people dont voluntarily offer their brains up to satiate a hungry parasite and Brians already knee deep in addiction. You can only imagine where it goes from here. Kidding aside, behind the gore and laughs is a brilliant depiction of the costs of being an addict. Scenes of Brians increasing alienation from his loved ones can leave a haunting effect on any viewer who has experienced the world of addiction, whether themselves or someone close. Theres no reason this film shouldnt be shown in a high school Drug Education class. Oh wait, maybe its because the talking parasite looks like a phallic turd. Yeah, thats probably it.