In the 1960s, Marvel Comics created most of its superheroes through the act of science. Whether planned or on accident, the results often led to superhuman abilities they would use to protect innocents, with these changes offering little to no downside aside from the struggles that come with saving lives. But that doesn't always mean that having gifts leads to a perfect life, and this is best shown through David Cronenberg's 1986 film, The Fly.
The Fly is both a remake and reimagining of the '50s sci-fi film of the same name, but today, it's regarded as a staple in body horror. The film follows a man named Seth Brundle, played by Jeff Goldblum, and his tireless efforts to master teleporting. His goal with the invention is to better mankind and transportation which could, in turn, lower the emissions of dangerous toxins into the atmosphere. His intentions are not unlike that of Reed Richards, who believed going to space would further mankind and their understanding of the unknown.
When Brundle tests the teleportation pod on himself, he finds it to be a success. However, what he failed to notice was that a fly also joined him in the pod, and it split his DNA into part fly and part human. At first, the effects are positive, with Seth discovering he now has superhuman strength, reflexes and agility. It mirrors a similar accident that happens with Peter Parker in which a bite from a radioactive spider turns the timid teenager into a confident hero. Unfortunately, that same confidence later becomes a sign of Brundle's monstrous future.
Shortly after his power boost, Brundle's body begins to turn on him. At first, the transformation is slow as his skin breaks out in rashes and he loses his fingernails. However, his condition continues to deteriorate as he becomes a shadow of his former self and his cockiness makes way for a scared man who's unsure of what's happening to him. There's a tragedy to his condition that calls back to when Ben Grimm faces the fact that he could be the Thing forever. Brundle soon falls into the same state of mind, but his pitiful attitude turns into desperation as he tries anything to revert back to his old self.
This transition from hero to villain turns Brundle into a true monster as he tries to take the woman he loves and fuse with her in the hopes of becoming the "perfect being." And these are the last thoughts that Brundle can get out before becoming a full-fledged monster. The Fly is the ideal horror film because it turns a tragic man into a scared and equally scary monster. However, as the decades have progressed, the film can also be looked at as the answer to the modern superhero film. On the surface, it's the ideal origin story, but Brundle slowly becoming a monster proves that even the best intentions don't always have a happy ending.
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