The Fly

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1:57

The Fly

1958

1h 34m

Horror

Sci-Fi

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

43 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

When scientist Andre Delambre (Al Hedison) tests his matter transporter on himself, an errant housefly makes its way into the transportation chamber, and things go horribly wrong. As a result, Delambre's head and arm are now that of the insect. Slowly losing himself to the fly, Delambre turns to his wife, Helene (Patricia Owens), for help. But when tragedy strikes, Delambre's brother (Vincent Price) and Inspector Charas (Herbert Marshall) are forced to pick up the investigation.

Critics Consensus

Deliciouly funny to some and eerily presicient to others, The Fly walks a fine line between shlocky fun and unnerving nature parable.

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Jean Yothers

Orlando Sentinel

09/25/2021

Background music is used effectively and the camera's shots of the man-fly are startling. For true horror, catch The Fly.

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Noel Murray

The Dissolve

09/18/2013

3.5/5

The Fly is a study in how the boldness of new discoveries is compromised by science's need for precision, but it's also a nightmarish tale of a comfortable little family, and a nagging little buzz.

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Variety Staff

Variety

03/26/2009

One strong factor of the picture is its unusual believability.

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Kristin Battestella

InSession Film

04/19/2024

Catching a little fly makes for some interesting suspense as the distorted bug views build toward an intense insect reveal and wonderful, albeit tiny, shockers.

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Mark R. Leeper

Mark Leeper's Reviews

08/16/2022

9/10

THE FLY (1958) is a film that surprised even its producers. I would contend that the reason this film had the impact that it did is that it really is very much an archetypal story, an "Oedipus Rex" for the scientific age.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

08/18/2020

9/10

Like the very best monster movies, the creature itself isn't revealed until very late into the picture.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Oct 30

Successful horror movie in 1 hour and 34 minutes.

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Ted B.

@Movieaddicted Oct 26

4.0 stars; A truly classic horror/sci-fi film. It was released in the late '50s when a number of top-notch films of this genre came out; therefore, it didn't receive the notoriety it should have. However, the uniqueness of this movie, plus the fact that it was shot in color (unlike other films of this genre in that era), has helped keep it at the top of lists of outstanding sci-fi/horror films of all time. Amazingly enough, it started out as a short story in Playboy magazine. The plot is a nice blend between mystery and horror/sci-fi. The first part of the film is a very compelling mystery in which a woman confesses to murdering her husband in the most gruesome fashion but won't explain why. The reveal is very shocking and causes audiences to gasp and scream thanks to some excellent special effects.

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Dallas H

@RT53171010 Oct 26

Wait a minute. You mean to tell me the mom's nurse was also the voice of Cruella De Vil? Call me surprised. Also, Vincent Price is in this movie. So, I'm entertained right from the start.

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Madoka A

@RT95510435 Jun 23

Fantastic. Spooky. Funny. Great product! Really good!

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S R

@ScottR 05/31/2025

I'm surprised I hadn't seen this before since it is really good for its time. Of course, the 1988 remake was better, but this still deserves respect for its originality. Good cast, filming, and direction. It does have some cheese to it, but on the whole is a quality flick. It could have been cut down though to get to the point, but I was entertained. NYT 1000 movies list. SLC DVD.

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John V

@RT02452579 10/11/2024

I remember watching this when I was like 10 years old while staying at a friend's house. That was many decades ago, but this movie is still seared to my memory. I especially remember Vincent Price.

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Kurt Neumann

Director

David Hedison

Andre Delambre

Patricia Owens

Helene Delambre

Vincent Price

François Delambre

Herbert Marshall

Insp. Charas

Kathleen Freeman

Emma (Delambre maid)

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The Fly: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

When scientist Andre Delambre (Al Hedison) tests his matter transporter on himself, an errant housefly makes its way into the transportation chamber, and things go horribly wrong. As a result, Delambre's head and arm are now that of the insect. Slowly losing himself to the fly, Delambre turns to his wife, Helene (Patricia Owens), for help. But when tragedy strikes, Delambre's brother (Vincent Price) and Inspector Charas (Herbert Marshall) are forced to pick up the investigation.

Director: Kurt Neumann
Producer: Kurt Neumann, Robert L. Lippert
Screenwriter: George Langelaan, James Clavell
Distributor: 20th Century Fox, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, Fox
Production Co: 20th Century Fox
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 16, 1958, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Runtime: 1h 34m