Bad Biology
Bad Biology is a dark horror comedy film directed by Frank Henenlotter and produced by rapper R.A. the Rugged Man. It stars Charlee Danielson and Anthony Sneed as sexually unfulfilled people who are drawn together because of their mutated genitalia. It was released on DVD in the UK in 2009, and in the US in 2010. Reviews were positive.
Bad Biology | |
---|---|
Directed by | Frank Henenlotter |
Produced by | R.A. "The Rugged Man" Thorburn |
Written by |
|
Starring |
|
Music by |
|
Cinematography | Nick Deeg |
Edited by |
|
Production company | Bad Biology |
Distributed by |
|
Release date |
|
Running time | 85 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Plot
The film follows Jennifer, and to a lesser extent, Batz. Jennifer has an over-evolved, hyperactive reproduction system. She explains that she started menstruating when she was five, and that she had a really heavy period on the day of her eighth birthday party, resulting in her losing 1/5 of her body's blood, and her parents taking her to the hospital. While at the hospital it was revealed that she had seven clits. Jennifer comments that she probably has more, but those would be buried so deep within her, that only a doctor could find them, and she's sick of doctors. She also reveals that, because of her reproductive system, she can have a child in under three hours. She says that they're not real babies, and she hates them, but she refuses to use contraception because she loves the feeling of giving birth. So she has the children and then leaves them in random places to die.
Because of her over-evolved reproductive system, she can only be satisfied by very intense sex, which occasionally results in the death of her partners. She mentions how she used to hate God, because he made her a freak, but now she sees he loves her, and is preparing her for one purpose, "to be fucked by him."
Jennifer works as a photographer, and usually takes erotic photos. Her co-worker offers to get access to mansion for a special photo shoot. Meanwhile, at said mansion, Batz is trying to subdue his sentient penis. Batz reveals that when he was born, the doctor cut off his penis instead of cutting the umbilical cord. naturally, the doctor reattached it, but something went wrong. Batz was unable to get hard. His parents could have paid for a remedy but, as Batz says, "what kind of parent is going to pay for their son to jerk off?" So he inserted growth hormones into his penis, causing it to grow sentience, and to become overgrown. Now, it's addicted to drugs, and forces Batz to get those for it. He attempts to subdue it using strong medication, obscure mechanical contraptions, and copious amounts of porn. Although, that never seems to work for long.
Batz sees one of the models during the shoot, and gets an erection. Jennifer witnesses this and becomes obsessed with him, convinced that he is the only man who can satisfy her. She steals his house keys and later breaks into his house. She sees him bring home a hooker and begins to film it.
Although his sexual encounter with the hooker doesn't last long, she continues to orgasm for more than forty five minutes afterwards. Jennifer gets aroused by this, and returns the next night, only to discover that Batz's penis has left his body, and is having sex with numerous women throughout the city. Jennifer laments this, when suddenly the penis returns.
However, it is suffering from withdrawal, and slowly dying. Batz wants to let it die, because he is sick of taking care of it, but Jennifer begins to give it the drug, rejuvenating it, and causing Batz to overdose. The penis enters Jennifer, causing her to orgasm, and to feel like she has reached her lifetime goal, "to be fucked by God."
The penis falls out of Jennifer, dead, and she collapses. She then gives birth to a half-human, half-penis mutant baby before dying.
Cast
- Charlee Danielson as Jennifer
- Anthony Sneed as Batz
The film has cameos by J-Zone, Wu-Tang Clan affiliate Remedy, Penthouse Pet Krista Ayne, Reef the Lost Cauze, Staff Sergeant John A. Thorburn, film director James Glickenhaus, and Playboy model Jelena Jensen.
Production
Henenlotter and Thorburn wrote the script together. Henenlotter acted as director and Thorburn the producer. The two met when Thorburn recruited Henenlotter to direct a rap video.[1] As opposed to his earlier project that were either canceled or compromised, Bad Biology allowed Henenlotter and Thorburn complete creative freedom due to Thorburn's investment of funds. Danielson was dating Thorburn at the time and requested to be cast. In order to make sure she was committed, Henenlotter tried to scare her off, but he was glad when she stayed with the project, as he said that she was "absolutely perfect" for the part. Sneed, who was cast as the male lead, found out about the project from a post on Craigslist. Sneed was initially rejected because of his physique, which Henenlotter did not think was close enough to that of a junkie. Sneed promised to lose enough weight to look the part. When he followed through and lost 30 pounds in 30 days, Henenlotter was impressed enough to cast him.[2]
Release
Bad Biology premiered at the 2008 Philadelphia Film Festival, where Henenlotter received the Phantasmagoria award.[3] It was theatrically released in 25 cities.[4] Revolver Entertainment released the UK DVD on March 2, 2009,[5] and Media Blasters released it on DVD in the US on January 26, 2010.[6] On February 13, 2010, Henenlotter appeared in New Jersey to promote the DVD release.[7]
Reception
Rotten Tomatoes, a review aggregator, reports that 100% of five surveyed critics gave the film a positive review; the average rating is 7.2/10.[8] Rob Nelson of Variety called it a "so-bad-it's-rad" film that will please Henenlotter's cult following.[9] Bloody Disgusting rated it 4.5/5 stars and wrote, "Bad Biology is simply the most entertaining gore film I've seen in a very long time."[10] Andy Mauro of Dread Central rated it 3.5/5 stars and wrote, "Small complaints aside, fans of Frank Henenlotter should definitely seek Bad Biology out."[11] Justin Decloux of Twitch Film wrote, "Keep your expectations in check, because while Bad Biology is a fun gross out chuckle fest, it's by no means the mondo madness that word of mouth has made it out to be."[12] Matthew Sorrento of Film Threat rated it 3.5/5 stars and wrote, "Bad Biology is more out-of-control than anything the director has done."[3] Ian Jane of DVD Talk rated it 3.5/5 stars and wrote, "It's not the best starting place for those new to his filmography and he's definitely made better pictures, but the rampant spirit of lunacy and comedic perversion that earned him his following has not dulled."[13] Daryl Loomis of DVD Verdict wrote, "This film has just about everything you'll want to see in B-grade splatter."[14]
References
- Sorrento, Matthew (2008-06-04). "The "Basket Case" Returns(?): Interview with Frank Henenlotter (Part 2)". Film Threat. Archived from the original on 2012-10-12. Retrieved 2014-04-18.
- Galluzzo, Rob (2010-02-08). "Exclusive Interview: Frank Henenlotter!". Shock Till You Drop. Retrieved 2015-02-11.
- Sorrento, Matthew (2008-04-11). "Bad Biology". Film Threat. Archived from the original on 2011-12-15. Retrieved 2014-04-18.
- Siebalt, Joshua (2008-10-14). "Henenlotter's Bad Biology Goes Theatrical". Dread Central. Retrieved 2014-04-18.
- Brown, Todd (2009-02-25). "Frank Hennenlotter's BAD BIOLOGY Hits DVD March 2nd!". Twitch Film. Retrieved 2014-04-18.
- Barton, Steve (2010-01-05). "Bad Biology Hits DVD!". Dread Central. Retrieved 2014-04-18.
- Serafini, Matt (2010-02-13). "NY/NJ Residents—Check out this Bad Biology Event!". Dread Central. Retrieved 2014-04-18.
- "Bad Biology (2008)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2014-04-18.
- Nelson, Rob (2008-06-11). "Review: 'Bad Biology'". Variety. Retrieved 2014-04-18.
- "Bad Biology (V)". Bloody Disgusting. 2008-03-03. Retrieved 2014-04-18.
- Mauro, Andy (2008-07-12). "Bad Biology (2008)". Dread Central. Retrieved 2014-04-18.
- Decloux, Justin (2008-07-16). "FANTASIA: BAD BIOLOGY Review". Twitch Film. Retrieved 2014-04-18.
- Jane, Ian (2010-01-28). "Bad Biology". DVD Talk. Retrieved 2014-04-18.
- Loomis, Daryl (2010-03-05). "Bad Biology". DVD Verdict. Retrieved 2014-04-18.