David Cronenberg: All 21 Films Ranked From Worst To Best

17. Shivers

Shivers is actually a pretty great piece of film-making that, considering its Cronenberg's first film not to feature overdubbed commentary, is remarkably brave and experimental. The sole reason why it is placed so low on the list is simply because the themes developed in this film would be bettered in his later work. This is where the seeds were sown though. A chaotic, innovative narrative reflects the collapsing relationships and lives of the film's lead characters. Quite clearly a statement on STDs and sexual promiscuity, the characters spread a gruesome parasitic worm that infects and changes its hosts. Some of the effects are dated, certainly, but most of them hold up pretty well. This seems somewhat related to Cronenberg's ability to create such horrifying makeup; makeup that seems to breathe of its own accord.