Naked Lunch

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Release Date 1991-12-27

Runtime 115 minutes

Status Released

Overview

Blank-faced bug killer Bill Lee and his dead-eyed wife, Joan, like to get high on Bill's pest poisons while lounging with Beat poet pals. After meeting the devilish Dr. Benway, Bill gets a drug made from a centipede. Upon indulging, he accidentally kills Joan, takes orders from his typewriter-turned-cockroach, ends up in a constantly mutating Mediterranean city and learns that his hip friends have published his work -- which he doesn't remember writing.

Budget $16,000,000

Revenue $2,641,357

Vote Average 7.0/10

Vote Count 1128

Popularity 3.0842

Original Language en

Backdrop

What makes this movie Worth Watching

Originally faced with censorship due to its explicit content, 'Naked Lunch' can be seen as a reflection of the counterculture movement and sexual revolution of the 1960s.

The movie is a visually stunning adaptation of William S. Burroughs' controversial novel, offering a unique blend of surrealism and film noir.
David Cronenberg's distinct directorial style adds layers of intrigue and challenges conventional storytelling norms.
The performances by actors like Peter Weller, Judy Davis, and Julian Sands are compelling and add depth to the bizarre characters.
The thematic exploration of drug addiction, identity, and paranoia resonates with contemporary issues and cultural discourse.

Fun Facts

'Naked Lunch' is one of David Cronenberg's most famous collaborations with screenwriter and friend, writer-director Norman Spencer.
The film features several references to Burroughs' real-life experiences and people from his life, including the infamous 'Queer' novel.
Cronenberg's unique approach to adapting the novel involves creating a fictional intermediary device called the Mugwump typewriter, which generates the story as characters interact.