Another fine take on the "matrix" formula. Multi layered "eXistenZial" analysis doesn't stop this from having it's rather boring stretches. Points for imaginative-ness and creepy scifi tech. Unfortunate that DaFoe didn't play a character with more screentime...

This movie ruined the Matrix for me. They came out about the same time I chose to see this one in the theatre instead. Later saw the Matrix, thought this one was far more clever and thought provoking. the Matrix is special effects laden but not a thinker by comparison. Cronenburg's best I think.

I can usually get behind Cronenberg's wild and twisted imagination, but this one just wasn't for me. EXistenZ was too weird and chaotic for my taste despite the excellent performances.

I watched this on DVD recently. It's quite a strange sci-fi film, and certainly pushes the boundaries of our imaginations. The main theme however, of asking what is real and what is not is a very old one which features in many films. What makes this film stand out is it's organic style and approach. Personally, I found the film more unsettling than entertaining due to the unplesant nature of the technology and the gore that came with it. I like my tech to be inanimate and clean which this is certainly not. The other problem I had with the film was that I found it very difficult to believe the story, and to invest in the film's reality. At times it became so rediculous that it appeared more like an improv' show where the actors were being forced to play roles they had only become aware of minutes before. In summary, it is novel but I did not enjoy it and can't recommend it.

One of the most under rated, barely seen movies I've ever seen. For nearly two decades I thought it was a fever dream I had, because no one else knew of it.

David Cronenberg makes a 90s cool movie in this one broh. flesh guns and reality checks

The premise is interesting, the actors are game and those are some damn fine, memorable-looking props that remind you just whose movie this is but, I don't know, there's something about eXistenZ that felt off to me that prevented me from truly getting into it. Maybe it's the pacing or the execution of the storytelling. And this is only my second Cronenberg film after A History of Violence so I can't boil it down to "his other body horror films were better". Maybe the mind screw aspects didn't impress me. Or maybe I'm just a dumbass who doesn't get subtle themes and needs The Wachowskis to hold my hand or something. Look, I respect the people who like this and, hell, even prefer it over the more popcorn-friendly Matrix but I really didn't get as sucked into the story as I was hoping for.

Captures the feeling of a dream so perfectly.

Starting off slow but quickly building engagement by the second act, eXistenZ, pronounced "exis-tenz" in the film, explores what happens when it becomes nearly impossible to distinguish between gameplay and reality. Well cast and demonstrating the body horror and sci-fi credentials David Cronenberg is known for, the film is a fun ride. I would definitely watch this again.

Completely ridiculous dispute the cast.

A film that can be praised for its originality even today, eXistenZ is a film that shows how far-sighted and visionary David Cronenberg is. Aside from embellishing its content with its own disgusting style, the film actually belongs to 2020 and beyond. The movie, which would have more digital and post-modern images if made today, turns in the hands of Cronenberg into a living, disgusting creature.

One of the dumbest movie ever, literally.

In this 1999 movie, it's supposed to be a big deal that the video game 'eXistenZ' cost a whopping $38m to develop. In 2013, GTA V was released at a development cost of more than a quarter billion. Oh Lord, EVERYTHING is fleshy. Video game systems with umbilical cords, guns that fire teeth. It's tough to have a film that dives into alternative reality and the future of technology that also relies on pedantic mechanics like addressing virtual characters by name to 'activate' them. There's unnecessarily levels of interlacing story bits incorporated almost as a substitute for creativity or to pad the runtime, the original iteration of Inception's 'complex = cool'. Everything about fantasy immersion based on radical future technology was done in a less disgusting, less meandering, and more entertaining way in The Matrix; however, the ideas of layered, indistinguishable realities still deliver a few hard-hitting twists here, even if some of the dialogue hamfistedly makes sure that you understand the premise. There's thoughts on the shockingly easy acceptance of the sacrifices associated with new technology (which has been increasingly important in 'augmentation'-based sci-fi) and even some debate on bodily autonomy, but the winding plot really takes the wind out of the sails for me. The REAL twist is that women can't be powerful corporate leaders or creative minds, that's only fantasy don't ya know! Also, who would want to play this video game? Nothing like coming home from an office job to work in a factory and gut some animals. (2.5/5)

Clever and highly meta combo of Cronenberg's 70's body horror motifs and late 90's camp.

David Cronenberg is a pervert, no if's and's or but's about it, David Cronenberg is a pervert.

Nothing amazingly original or exciting in the pictures but it was very functional. The effects were convincing. I liked the use of camera angles that weren't always traditional. It made it interesting and slightly odd. It was nicely shot but not noticeable. The sound worked well. I liked the musical score and the sound effects were used to punctuate the strange nature of the game well. It was organic sound with a classical score. I liked the story. It was very modern and forward thinking. The organic computer games were really cool. The weakest point was the ending as it didn't reveal anything and offered too many complications. Very much worth watching though especially as it is a little weird. Very interesting story let down by a weak ending. Fascinating throughout though.

Terribly directed acting was garbage. The promise was OK but the story was so bad it ruined the film. I stuck in till the end to see if this movie was really going somewhere, it kind of did. Definitely terrible compared to the matrix or any film. I really think total recall was one of the first and best to build this theme of not knowing if you were back in reality.

This movie took an hour and a half of my life, and I want it back.

What are those game pods, weapon fire tooth & weird gadgets? Strange weird movie with neuro serge

A bit of a gross looking mindfuck