Watch Now: THE HUNGER

The year 1983 saw the release of Tony Scott’s first feature film called The Hunger, an erotic horror loosely based on American author Whitley Strieber’s novel of the same name published two years prior. The late director’s stylish vampire extravaganza focuses on immortal lovers Miriam and John whose lavish lifestyle of blood feasting and debauchery is put on hold when two-hundred-year-old John suddenly starts aging rapidly, prompting him to seek help from gerontologist Sarah. Well known for its memorable and highly stylized lesbian sex scene, The Hunger is a delicious visual treat starring Catherine Deneuve, Susan Sarandon and the late David Bowie. 

It originally received unflattering reviews before eventually garnering a cult following, most notably among those belonging to the goth subculture. The film would also go on to influence the third season of Bryan Fuller’s hit show Hannibal, as well as inspire Fred Burger, editor and publisher of Propaganda magazine, to change the zine’s orientation from a hardcore punk publication to a goth-industrial one in the summer of 1984. All that being said, The Hunger’s final scene was severely criticized by not only moviegoers, but also Susan Sarandon herself, who openly talked about it being added by order of the studio as a means of leaving the possibility for a sequel open, despite its inclusion contradicting the film’s previously established narrative and themes.

Watch Now: THE HUNGER