Terrible, with shades of brilliance. Definitely worth checking out to see where many of the Cronenbergisms began. Only, you should be prepared for Amateur Night on the technical level. Some will write it off as ridiculous (which it is); others will dig the hell out of the bad taste sensibility which Cronenberg obviously relishes fully here.

Disgusting creatures crawling into and out of people's every orifice? Gradually turns into Night of the Living Rapists? Yes, I would apply such descriptions. But Shivers, I guess the most notorious example of Cronenberg's so-called "venereal horror", is nowhere near as interesting as it sounds. In fact, it is very average, not really scary and doesn't really say anything smart socially, and can safely be skipped.

Cronenberg's first feature is like a venereal disease remake of _Night of the Living Dead_. Tasteless in a good-humored sort of way, this has impressive low-budget Joe Blasco makeup effects and some good shocks, like the phallic parasite attacking scream queen Steele in her bathtub or bursting from Kolman's stomach.

10/10 for the punch.

The first half hour is pretty slow, but also filmed in a such a way that makes you wonder what the fuck is going on, so it keeps your attention well until you figure things out and the action picks up. A very cool concept (essentially sex zombies), but sadly weakened by a handful of poor acting performances. Still, very creepy and effective with a couple of genuinely disturbing images.

I'm really starting to grow a strong appreciation for 70's horror films mainly because it seemed like directors finally let go of all their inner ambitions and just went for it. Shivers is a prime example of this. I think it has some of the most grotesque imagery dedicated to film that I've ever seen to date, and because of this its a great deal of fun.

Cronenberg puts a sexual twist on the zombie genre and pulls it off like only he could. When most other zombie films of this period focused mainly on the gore, Shivers takes it many steps further and uses the zombie as a metaphor for our baser sexual desires. The zombie has never felt more close to home, which is what makes this movie so effective. Its production values leave something to be desired, but this is a refreshingly unique creation by a talented, deep-thinking filmmaker.

Sort of zombie-like movie but instead of eating they want to "fuck" (well... kiss really) and instead of contagion by bite, they do by some sort of a shit-alike slug. The part of the terror is not specially good (he did better later in Rabid), and the sci-fi is less than I would like, though I get the message, is not such a big deal in the movie, and I also find quite stupid all the movie the "sex-crazyness" is mostly just kissing, what a sex liberation yeah. But I thank the influence in Alien.

ultra low budget and poorly acted, but has that early-cronenberg charm. love the ending.

Cronenberg's first feature is hammy and silly but does show us what he would get up to over the next few years.

Amateur night.

In his debut feature, Cronenberg is not at the quality that his later films are but, like one of the metamorphosing beings the populate his work, you can see where his work would progress to, going into ideas of the body, disease and sex that add to this sleazy horror film (it could be called the Attack of the Sex Penises) and give it a subversive layer. His later work would take horror cinema to much more inspired areas, but you can still see the best things about Cronenberg in this.

The nurse in this movie is so fucking ugly-hot.

Sex-crazed zombies... What's up now Romero.

Cronenberg (a Canadian) should know better than to film an English movie in a French city -- but that's my only gripe with this, his first feature. "Shivers" is actually quite enjoyable at times and picks up the pace after the first 30 minutes or so.

The idea of a parasite crawling into your drain and getting under your skin is pretty damn gross. So is this movie. Full of wild sex, crazy creatures and scientific subtext. True to Cronenberg fashion, though, the down time is really boring.

Passes the time.

Behold... Genius at work! From the very beginning, Cronenberg gave his movies his own distinctive mark. Of course, the influence of "Night of the Living Dead" or "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" is present - but the director twisted the phormula to fit his private obsessions.