Explained
Sci-fi thriller
Videodrome (1983): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Videodrome is a 1983 sci-fi thriller directed by David Cronenberg, starring James Woods and Deborah Harry. It runs 1 hour 27 minutes and earned $2.1 million worldwide. Critics gave it 58 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.
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- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 27m (87 min)
- Director
- David Cronenberg
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Universal Pictures
- After the credits
- Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story
What Is Videodrome About?
The premise of Videodrome without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In a near-future city, a cable programmer searching for shocking content discovers a mysterious broadcast signal that seems to have a disturbing effect on those who view it. As he investigates the source of the program, the lines between reality and illusion begin to blur, leading him down a dangerous path. He confronts unsettling visions and a sinister conspiracy, forcing him to question his own sanity and the nature of what he perceives. The unsettling broadcast becomes increasingly invasive, threatening to consume his life and reshape his understanding of existence.
Videodrome Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- hallucination
- surrealism
- body horror
- suicide
- gore
- pornography
- assassination
- brain tumor
- mind control
- videotape
- masochism
- conspiracy
+38 more Show fewer
- television
- insanity
- paranoia
- perversion
- pittsburgh pennsylvania
- title spoken by character
- surprise ending
- murder
- one word title
- sex scene
- cyberpunk
- nightmare
- video library
- blood
- violence
- absurdism
- television station
- ambiguous ending
- physical transformation
- shot to death
- desensitization
- social commentary
- subliminal message
- torture
- fictional drug
- eyeglasses
- self mutilation
- manipulation
- exploding body
- brainwashing
- female frontal nudity
- sadomasochism
- disembowelment
- tumor
- betrayal
- pizza
- cigarette smoking
- dream
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Cast & crew
Videodrome Cast
James Woods leads the cast, with Deborah Harry. Directed by David Cronenberg.
-
Director David Cronenberg
From the director
More from David Cronenberg
More films directed by David Cronenberg, best-rated first: Dead Ringers, The Fly, Eastern Promises and The Shrouds.
Ratings
Videodrome Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Videodrome 58 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.
-
IMDb 7.2 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 58 Metascore
User score 7.2
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 73% User score
See on TMDB
Plot
Videodrome Plot Summary
What happens in Videodrome from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Max Renn (James Woods) serves as the president of the notorious CIVIC-TV (Channel 83, Cable 12), a sleazy television station in Toronto that focuses on sensationalized content. Dissatisfied with the channel’s mundane lineup—which primarily consists of softcore pornography—Renn embarks on a relentless quest for a more provocative program that will captivate a wider audience.
One fateful morning, Renn is summoned to the secretive office of Harlan (Peter Dvorsky), who manages CIVIC-TV’s illicit satellite dish. Harlan reveals a groundbreaking yet disturbing show called “Videodrome,” a shocking program broadcast from Malaysia featuring graphic portrayals of torture and murder set against a surreal reddish-orange backdrop. Intrigued by the potential of this snuff-style content to revolutionize television, Renn instructs Harlan to pirate the broadcast.
Full summary
The whole story of Videodrome, scene by scene
Box office
Videodrome Box Office
Videodrome grossed $2.1 million worldwide. $2.1 million came from the US and Canada and $1,498 (0%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$2.1M
- US & Canada
- $2.1M
- International
- $1.5K
US & Canada 100%
Rest of the world 0%
Videos
Videodrome Trailers & Videos
7 videos: 2 trailers and 5 featurettes.
- Trailer Original Trailer
- Featurette Michael Lennick on Videodrome
- Featurette Comedian Richard Sandling and Ashens explore the world of Videodrome
- Featurette Cronenberg Had to Re-Train Debbie Harry for the Camera In 'Videodrome'
Quiz
How Well Do You Know Videodrome?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who plays the character Max Renn?
Cars
Cars in Videodrome
10 cars on screen, including the 1981 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Stretched Limousine and the 1981 Buick Century.
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1981 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Stretched Limousine Important role -
1981 Buick Century Background role -
1971 Chevrolet Chevy Van Background role -
1981 Chevrolet Malibu Background role
Details
Videodrome Also Known As
25 alternative titles, including “Cuerpos Invadidos” and “Network of Blood”.
- Also known as
-
- Cuerpos Invadidos
- Network of Blood
- Zonekiller
- Videodrome - förgängelsens vapen
- Βιντεοντρόμ
- ビデオドローム
- Видеодром
- David Cronenberg's Videodrome
- Vidéodrome
- Ekrandaki Dehşet
- Experiência Alucinante
- 录影带谋杀案
+13 more Show fewer
- Βιντεοδρόμιο
- וידאודרום
- 錄影帶謀殺案
- Видеодрум
- ヴィデオドローム
- 비디오드롬
- Wideodrom
- Videodrome: A Síndrome do Vídeo
- Videodrome - tuhon ase
- Відеодром, ვიდეოდრომი
- วิดีโอโดรม
- Thế Lực Đen Tối
- 猛鬼勾魂
Seen Videodrome?
More like this
Movies Like Videodrome
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Broadcast Signal Intrusion, Videovore and Video Violence.
From the blog
Articles About Videodrome
2 articles about Videodrome. The latest: “Gazer (2025) Explained: Decoding Frankie's Timeline, Tapes, and Twisted Reality”.
FAQ
Videodrome FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Videodrome, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Videodrome?
Videodrome runs 1 hour 27 minutes (87 minutes).
When was Videodrome released?
Videodrome was released on February 4, 1983.
Who directed Videodrome?
Videodrome was directed by David Cronenberg.
More films by David Cronenberg Who is in the cast of Videodrome?
Videodrome stars James Woods and Deborah Harry.
How much did Videodrome make at the box office?
Videodrome grossed $2.1 million worldwide ($2.1 million domestic, $1,498 international).
How is Videodrome rated?
Videodrome has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 58 on Metacritic and 73% on TMDB.
Does Videodrome have a post-credit scene?
Yes. Videodrome has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.
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