Basket Case Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A guy carries his grumpy, formerly attached brother around in a basket and they exact revenge because family therapy wasn’t a thing in the 80s.

🍿 Basket Case: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Arrival in New York and Mysterious Basket

Duane Bradley arrives in New York City, checking into a rundown hotel in Times Square. He carries a large, locked wicker basket, drawing suspicion from the hotel manager and other residents. The contents of the basket remain a mystery, but Duane is clearly protective of it, feeding it hamburgers and consulting medical records.

Seeking Revenge

Duane begins tracking down the doctors involved in a past surgery. Flashbacks reveal that Duane and his deformed twin brother, Belial, were conjoined at birth and forcibly separated by their father. The brothers share a psychic connection, and Belial, the deformed twin, is hidden in the basket, seeking vengeance on the doctors responsible for their separation. The film portrays the seedy underbelly of 1980s Times Square, adding to the gritty atmosphere.

Love and Jealousy

Duane meets Sharon, a receptionist at one of the doctor’s offices, and begins a relationship with her. Belial grows increasingly jealous and possessive of Duane, resenting Sharon’s presence and disrupting their attempts at normalcy. This jealousy escalates into violence as Belial’s influence over Duane intensifies.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Duane Bradley (Kevin VanHentenryck): A seemingly naive young man who carries his deformed conjoined twin, Belial, in a basket, seeking revenge on the doctors who separated them.
• Belial (N/A): The grotesquely deformed, telepathic conjoined twin of Duane, driven by rage and jealousy, seeking violent retribution against those he blames for his condition.
• Sharon (Terri Susan Smith): A friendly receptionist who becomes Duane’s love interest, unaware of the deadly secret he carries with him.
• Dr. Judith Kutter (Diana Browne): One of the doctors who performed the surgery to separate Duane and Belial, becoming a target of their vengeful quest.
• Hotel Manager (Robert Vogel): The irritable manager of the seedy Hotel Broslin where Duane stays, providing a glimpse into the film’s grimy setting.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Hotel Manager: “This isn’t a hotel, it’s a nuthouse!” – Exclaimed by the beleaguered hotel manager, highlighting the rundown and bizarre nature of his establishment.
• Duane: “(Telepathically) Belial, what are you doing?” – Duane’s often exasperated communication with Belial showcases their complex relationship.
• Casey: “I’ve got some heavy boozing to do.” – A colorful quote that encapsulates the gritty, desperate atmosphere of the film’s setting and characters.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $35,000
• Domestic Gross: $2,477,779
• Worldwide Gross: $2,477,779

💥 Basket Case Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, ‘Basket Case’ is a wild ride! I remember renting it on VHS as a kid and being both terrified and strangely fascinated. The effects are super low-budget, but that’s part of its charm. The Times Square setting is gritty and seedy, which really adds to the atmosphere. The whole dynamic between Duane and Belial is bizarre and kinda tragic, especially when Duane tries to have a normal life. That ending? I still get chills. For me, it’s a cult classic because it’s just so unique and messed up.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of low-budget horror films”
  • “Viewers interested in cult classics”
  • “Those who appreciate grindhouse cinema”
  • “People who enjoy horror-comedy blends”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence and gore”
  • “Disturbing images of deformity”
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “Sexual violence”

Professional Reviews

• IMDB User Review: “Basket Case is a superb exploitation movie! It’s intelligent, creepy, and viciously horrific. The premise is bizarre and sordid, and the movie doesn’t disappoint. Everything is washed out with neon, every location is dirty, every character is twisted. It jerks the viewer’s emotions around brutally, going from silly to grim to nightmarish to funny to horrifying to tragic. It may take a while to sink in, but if you allow it to, it will leave you speechless.
• IMDB User Review: “Basket Case highlights the problem with horror films of today. Back in the eighties, films would be made with an idea and no budget, and the result would nearly always see the release of an inventive and interesting horror film. Hokey effects, a silly story and suspect acting are all overcome. The story capitalises on the fact that many people find the subject of deformity uncomfortable, and the subject of living with it even more so. The plot follows a strange young man that carries a basket around with him, inside lies his hideously deformed Siamese twin, and the deformity wants it’s revenge!
• IMDB User Review: “Basket Case is one of the greatest shoe string budget horror films ever made, a true cult classic and a tragic tale of brotherly love and jealousy. The sleazy surroundings and characters that the movie was shot in and around adds to it’s charm. Duane and Belial are a pair of brothers you don’t want to cross paths with. This film was such a success that it spawned two sequels and a funny cameo in another. Highly recommended.

Audience Reactions

Viewers were captivated by the film’s unique and bizarre premise, finding it both humorous and disturbing.: The film’s low-budget charm, gory special effects, and dark humor resonated with audiences, solidifying its cult status.

The gritty and seedy Times Square setting, along with memorable characters, contributed to the film’s distinctive atmosphere.: Many viewers appreciated the film’s ability to blend horror and comedy, creating a memorable and unsettling experience.

Overall Consensus: A low-budget cult classic known for its bizarre premise, gory effects, and dark humor, ‘Basket Case’ remains a unique and unsettling experience for horror fans.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was shot on a very low budget, estimated at around $35,000.”
• “Many of the names listed in the credits are fictitious due to the small crew size.”
• “Director Frank Henenlotter makes a cameo appearance as a writer.”
• “The film’s locations, particularly the Welfare Hotel in Times Square, contributed significantly to its gritty and unsettling atmosphere.”

🖥️ How to Watch Basket Case?

As a cult classic, ‘Basket Case’ is widely available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms. You can find it on Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your preferred streaming service for availability. Physical copies are also readily available through online retailers like Amazon.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Basket Case, you might like these similar films:

• Freaks (1932): Both films explore themes of physical deformity and society’s reaction to those who are different, focusing on marginalized characters.
• Frankenhooker (1990): Directed by Frank Henenlotter, it shares the same darkly comedic and grotesque horror elements, showcasing the director’s signature style.
• Maniac (1980): Exploitative 80s horror set in sleazy New York City.
• Inside (2007): Features themes of bodily horror, violence, and characters who are physically altered or marginalized, creating a visceral and disturbing experience.

🛒 Basket Case Related Products

• Basket Case (Blu-ray): Restored version with special features and interviews. The high-definition transfer allows you to fully appreciate the sleazy New York City setting.
• Basket Case: The Trilogy: Get the complete story of Duane and Belial with all three Basket Case films. A digital download of all 3 movies, so that you can have the adventures of Duane and Belial forever with you.
• Belial Plushie: A cuddly and terrifying Belial plush. Perfect for horror fans and collectors of rare, unique memorabilia.
• Basket Case Poster: Original movie poster art, perfect for framing and displaying your love for this cult classic.

🎧 Soundtrack

Basket Case features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Theme” – performed by Gus Russo
• “Times Square Hustle” – performed by Various Artists

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

BELIAL’S DREAM

Ever wondered what Belial dreams about? This short film, created for the Basket Case Blu-ray release, gives you a peek! It’s surprisingly artistic and adds a whole new layer to the character – you won’t regret watching!

Basket Case 2 (1990) KILL COUNT

Love a good horror movie kill count? This video breaks down all the gory deaths in Basket Case 2 with Dead Meat’s signature humor! It’s super entertaining and a fun way to revisit the sequel. Though it’s about the sequel, you still see a relation to the original. Check it out, it’s a riot!

Basket Case 3 (1991) – Mecha Belial

Basket Case gets pretty wild later in the series, and this clip proves it! Belial…in a Gundam suit? It’s so bizarre you have to see it to believe it. Trust me, you’ll be laughing!

✨ Rate