Comedy

Horror

Mystery

Society

Society Productions

Wild Street Pictures

United States of America

English

Billy Warlock

Connie Danese

Ben Slack

Evan Richards

Patrice Jennings

Tim Bartell

Charles Lucia

Heidi Kozak

Brian Bremer

Ben Meyerson

Devin DeVasquez

Maria Claire

Conan Yuzna

Jason Williams

Pamela Matheson

David Wiley

David Wells

Mike Diamant

Rick Fry

Kelle DeForrest

Mark Ryder

Brian Yuzna

Keizo Kabata

Keith Walley

Peter Teschner

Donna B. Anderson

Screaming Mad George

Woody Keith

Terry Ogisu

Phil Davies

Rick Fichter

Paul White

Matthew C. Jacobs

Duke Brown

Wendy Gosse

Gonzo Cervantes

Dale Johnston

John L. Anderson

Adam Johnston

Marty Stein

Mike Virnig

Clancy T. Troutman

Gary Schmoeller

James Koford

Doug E. Turner

Lisa Love

Valerie McKnight

Michael P. Cook

Phyllis Temple

Ted Johnston

Joseph Viles

Meg Goodwin

Keith H. Sauter

Pete von Sholly

Robert Friedman

Gail Clark Burch

William Fiege

Mark S. Thomas

Mark Barofsky

Tom Ruff

Dan Bradley

Casey Troutman

Matt McColm

Tom Elliott

Sheri Short

John Wilkinson

Roy Knyrim

Robin Lewis West

**_The paranoia of “Rosemary’s Baby” mixed with the gross-out bits of “The Thing”_**

Shot in early 1989, this reminded of “Rosemary’s Baby” during the first two acts and so was unsurprised to learn that the director cited it as one of his biggest influences, along with “The Spiral Staircase.” The milieu of the story is just switched from an old Gotham apartment building to sunny SoCal. Billy Warlock makes for a great protagonist and it’s unfortunate he didn’t have a more successful career in acting.

So, the first hour works pretty well, but the shocking elements of the last act go on way too long. Less is more. That’s why Polanski limited the big reveal at the end of “Rosemary’s Baby” to just a minute or two. 

 “Society” was appreciated in Europe in 1989-90, but was a dud in America, where it wasn’t officially released until 1992, although it screened at the USA Film Festival in 1991. It, however, did very well when released to video and has gone on to develop a cult following.

It runs 1 hour, 39 minutes, and was shot in the Los Angeles area as follows: Pasadena (the mansion), Van Nuys (high school), North Hills (hospital) and Culver City (studio work).

GRADE: C

Society (1989) Original Trailer [FHD]

Mark Kermode reviews Society (1989) | BFI Player

Arrow Video Selects - Society by Mike Hewitt

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Society

Cast & Crew

Videos

Cast

Billy Warlock

Connie Danese

Ben Slack

Evan Richards

Patrice Jennings

Tim Bartell

Charles Lucia

Heidi Kozak

Brian Bremer

Ben Meyerson

Box office

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