‘Insects don’t have politics.’ The Fly scene-by-scene: Act Three

Abstract

This chapter explores the scenes of Act Three of David Cronenberg's The Fly (1986). When Veronica arrives at the warehouse, the degeneration of Seth is apparent: Seth walks on sticks like an old man whose hips and knees have given out; his skin has deteriorated further, his hair is stringy, and his clothing dirty and streaked with that milky ooze. Brundlefly's instincts are now his own, and he does not even realise he is displaying them. Despite the gravity of Seth's situation, he remains true to his human character and never stops being a scientist. The chapter then looks at the deleted scenes, which indicate Cronenberg's initial vision for The Fly was even grimmer and more violent than the version that made it to cinemas — something likely to have undercut the love story and Seth Brundle's affability. The Fly ends with the mercy death of Brundlefly at the hand of his lover; a faultless conclusion for a film that eschews unnecessary embellishment so as not to detract from the strength of its story.