Brainscan

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Brainscan

R

Released Apr 22, 1994

1h 35m

Sci-Fi

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Popcornmeter

13%

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15 Reviews

61%

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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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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

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Marc Savlov

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 2/5

Jan 1, 2000

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Entertainment Weekly

Rated: D

Jan 1, 1994

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

More entertaining as an artifact of mid-90s sci-fi than anything more substantial.

Rated: 2/4

Apr 6, 2021

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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

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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

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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

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Timothy W

I would hardly call this a horror movie especially after the first kill. Feels like a edgy PG-13 version of "Little Monsters". The 2nd act starts the downhill decline. The 3rd act is frustratingly cliché. The ending is what I consider a movie sin. Straight to jail with this one.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/21/24

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Ravens love

What to say about a film where the director literally wanted to slap Edward furlong awake every morning, well it's his acting, he really doesn't care and the relationship with the neighbour, well that's a little creepy, creepier still when you realise she's like 10 your older then furlong, his best friend I just didn't care about The best part of this film is the trickster portrayed by t Ryder Smith, a mixture of Freddy Krueger and Harvey mandel, he fast talking and a joy to watch, if your gonna watch it, he makes it entirely worth it but don't watch it just for him

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/27/23

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CrAzY P

I can remember seeing this movie on vhs at the local video store back in 94, and because of the R rating my grandmother wouldn't rent it for me. Honestly after seeing this film I do believe it should be PG-13. It has a comical horror vibe to it that some people may not like. Especially with "trickster". I enjoyed it to be honest. I liked the film, I thought it was different in a good way. Edward Furlong does pretty good here too. Definitely worth a watch if you like sci-fi/horror films.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/14/23

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Jordy H

Creepily fun nostalgic hacker horror!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

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Sans S

watched it for the first time in 2022 and it was awesome

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/11/22

Full Review

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John Flynn

Director

Edward Furlong

Michael Bower

Frank Langella

Detective Hayden

T. Ryder Smith

Trickster

Amy Hargreaves

Kimberly

Jamie Marsh

Kyle

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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: Brian Owens, Andrew Kevin Walker
Distributor: Columbia Tristar, Laurenfilm S.A.
Production Co: Admire Productions Ltd., Coral Productions
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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