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Brainscan

Play trailer Poster for Brainscan R Released Apr 22, 1994 1h 35m Sci-Fi Play Trailer Watchlist
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13% Tomatometer 15 Reviews 61% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Horror films and computer games fascinate teenager Michael (Edward Furlong), and a CD-ROM that portrays murder from the killer's point of view combines these interests. The first time Michael plays it, he kills a stranger and cuts off a foot, thinking the events take place in virtual reality. But the next day Michael finds a foot in his refrigerator, and cyber-ghoul Trickster (T. Ryder Smith) emerges from the program and forces him to keep playing -- and to continue committing violent crimes.
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Brainscan

Critics Reviews

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Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Brainscan is interesting not so much because of the plot, the murders, and the Trickster, as because of its portrait of a teenage boy living at one remove from the world. Rated: 2/4 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Marc Savlov Austin Chronicle Rated: 2/5 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Entertainment Weekly Rated: D Jan 1, 1994 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy More entertaining as an artifact of mid-90s sci-fi than anything more substantial. Rated: 2/4 Apr 6, 2021 Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Something is missing; perhaps it's the sparseness of edgy scares, or the infrequency of gore, or the conclusion - which just doesn't know what it wants to be. Rated: 4/10 Sep 10, 2020 Full Review Daniel Barnes Dare Daniel Brainscan offers a grab bag of intriguing ideas, but the pieces never fit together. Even without the clumsy execution, though, no film could surmount Furlong's complete lack of charisma, energy, talent and screen presence. Rated: 2/5 Oct 8, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jacob M It's an interesting horror mark of 90s teenage culture. Though at times nothing more than an rated R Goosebumps episode. It's still highly entertaining. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/06/25 Full Review Audience Member It's honestly terrible but in the best way. There are genuine genius moments throughout that only become obvious after multiple viewings. The only negative is the stinger ending that makes absolutely no sense. Definitely worth a watch at least once. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/25/25 Full Review Dominic I. This film is better than most people say it is. Furlong gives a good performance as this lonely depressed teenager, Frank Langella does a good job playing an intimidating detective, Amy Hargreaves does her thing just fine, and T. Ryder Smith is easily the best part of the movie with his charming and creepy performance as the Trickster. The plot is decent although the “It was all a dream” ending is really cheesy and lame and the science of the game should’ve been explored a little more. The soundtrack is nice and the whole movie has this very edgy 90s metal grunge vibe. It may be dated but I love it. Very nice. But this film is at least a 7/10 if not more. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/23/25 Full Review SkyRo P "Brain Scan" is a horror film from 1994 that features a character known as the Trickster, who ensnares viewers into a deadly game where they commit acts of murder while seemingly asleep, blurring the lines between reality and imagination. In my opinion, this film has not aged well and failed to win me over as a new fan. It feels like one of those forgotten movies that will remain obscure due to its cheesy and tacky execution. It seems like an attempt to capitalize on the popularity of the actor from "Terminator," and little more. In the end, "Brain Scan" comes across as poorly written and lacking depth. The Trickster character, rather than being eerie or frightening, is simply bizarre. It's one of those 90s films that leaves you thinking, "Well, they tried." Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 05/15/25 Full Review Liam D Combining The Lawnmower Man and Trick Or Treat. It has an great cast and a pretty cool killer but the story feels simple and kinda copes out Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 12/25/24 Full Review GraveWalker 1 I love the film but to be honest it not the best film to be honest it has lot 90s trops and in it but if like that you will like this film it very nostalgic for me that why I like it. It movie you can get drunk and have good time watching with buddies during a horror movie night or watching on your own, to be honest the best character in the film the Trickster T. Ryder Smith acting was way better than the anyone else. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/10/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Brainscan

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Movie Info

Synopsis Horror films and computer games fascinate teenager Michael (Edward Furlong), and a CD-ROM that portrays murder from the killer's point of view combines these interests. The first time Michael plays it, he kills a stranger and cuts off a foot, thinking the events take place in virtual reality. But the next day Michael finds a foot in his refrigerator, and cyber-ghoul Trickster (T. Ryder Smith) emerges from the program and forces him to keep playing -- and to continue committing violent crimes.
Director
John Flynn
Producer
Michel Roy
Screenwriter
Andrew Kevin Walker, Brian Owens
Distributor
Columbia Tristar, Laurenfilm S.A.
Production Co
Coral Productions, Admire Productions Ltd.
Rating
R (Language|Strong Violence|Some Sexuality)
Genre
Sci-Fi
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 22, 1994, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$3.1M
Runtime
1h 35m
Sound Mix
Stereo, Dolby, Surround
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