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The Fly (1986)

Official Trailer

Plot Summary

In The Fly, an obsessively ambitious scientist (Jeff Goldblum) pushes the boundaries of modern science with a revolutionary teleportation experiment designed to transport living matter instantly across space. During a late-night test carried out in isolation, a minor oversight leads to a catastrophic outcome: an ordinary housefly enters the chamber unnoticed, causing a genetic fusion that irreversibly alters the experiment’s human subject.

As his physical and psychological condition begins to deteriorate, the transformation unfolds gradually and mercilessly. What initially appears to be enhanced strength and intellect soon gives way to grotesque mutations, signaling the emergence of a new, hybrid organism. The scientist’s struggle is witnessed by an investigative journalist (Geena Davis), who becomes emotionally involved while documenting his work and ultimately falls in love with him.

Caught between scientific curiosity and human compassion, she attempts to protect and sustain the man he once was, even as his humanity is steadily consumed by the insect traits overtaking his body. The Fly stands as a landmark of body horror cinema, using visceral imagery and tragic storytelling to explore themes of obsession, identity, decay, and the terrifying cost of unchecked ambition.

Cast Biographies