Ep. 86: Eric Red's "Body Parts" (1991)

When criminal psychologist Bill Chrushank loses his arm in a devastating car crash, a groundbreaking transplant procedure gives him a second chance. There's just one catch - his new arm once belonged to a vicious serial killer. As Bill begins to recover, the appendage seems to develop a will of its own, acting with increasing violence against his family and others.

What starts as a medical miracle rapidly descends into a nightmare as Bill struggles to maintain control while questioning the very nature of evil itself. Could malevolence truly reside within flesh and bone, transferable from one person to another? Or is he simply losing his grip on sanity? When Bill discovers he's not the only recipient of the killer's body parts, a terrifying conspiracy begins to unfold.

Body Parts (1991) represents a curious moment in horror cinema, attempting to blend philosophical questions with visceral body horror but never fully committing to either approach. Jeff Fahey delivers an earnest performance as a man literally at war with himself, while Brad Dourif shines as a fellow transplant recipient whose artistic talents have taken a disturbing turn. The practical effects and makeup work remain impressive decades later, showcasing the craftsmanship of pre-digital filmmaking.

Released amid unfortunate timing with the capture of Jeffrey Dahmer, this film has developed a small cult following despite its flaws. Featuring impressive stunt work (including a car crash scene where a stunt performer was accidentally ejected 50 feet without a harness), Body Parts serves as both a time capsule of early 90s horror and a fascinating "what could have been" had it fully embraced its inherently campy premise.

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