Messy but Fascinating: Cronenberg’s The Shrouds (2025) | Spoiler Free Movie Review

I agree with several points made here. Ultimately, the strong points are it's a unique film with some compelling body horror moments filled with adult themes and ideas.

I watched this film on a weekend getaway with a new lover who also loves David Cronenberg. When the film ended, I said, "I don't have any insights or pithy statements about art and film. I have no critique. I just feel angry." We have since talked about Guy Pearce's Pastrami Sandwich at length.

I loved crimes of future. It was so odd and creepy and the music was fantastic. Im not sure yet about shrouds but your review was interesting. I'll def rewatch it after watching the movie.

last good actual Cronenberg movie he made was Spider

I think you are being kinder than other reviewers and I appreciate that- this might be something I wait to stream.

Far out I remember when you had under 100k subs now you've grown fast! Congrats Emma ❤

I am 8 minutes in and had to stop to take issue with few of your points. He is not contradicting himself in any way that this is a work of fiction but also has autobiographical elements. He has stated many times that the desire to be with his wife in the coffin was the impetus for the film. That feeling of grief and wanting to stay with your loved ones is something he felt very strongly. However he did not invent the Shrouds, fund a cemetery, or work through conspiracies with the sister of his deceased wife and her ex husband. That is the story he told, rooted in his feelings and research on grief and burial rituals, was completely fictional. Where is the contradiction in that???

Secondly Crimes of the Future was in no way a remake of his 1970 film of the same name. He simply liked the title and decided to re-use it as the original is fairly obscure and unknown and he liked the name a lot.

And if you think the film “just touches” on conspiracies, what would make a significant feature in your opinion??? The film is not super narratively focussed, what plot is present is PRIMARILY about conspiracies.

Sounds disappointing 😞

I'm hoping it's better than Crimes of the Future, by the way you describe it, especially as a failed pilot sounds a bit like Mulholland Dr, not saying that they are similar. But in the way he wants you to have your own opinion.

Crimes of the Future was not a remake, he just reused the title. Great research other than that though. I think I've watched and read every interview Cronenberg has done for The Shrouds and yes, he's contradicting himself all over the place, which is unusual for him. Can't wait to see it!

Emma I love your voice. You should do some videos reading short horror stories to fall asleep to.

I want to give this one a shot one day. While I didn't care for Crimes of the Future, this one does sound up my alley.

It sounds like a black mirror episode, which i'm all for! lol

One of the worst movies I’ve ever seen. The acting and story were so bad and it was just weird. I walked out of the theatre about 30 mins in. Do not waste your money on this “movie”

It's too bad that the movie is kind of a letdown,but even sub par new Croenenberg is still new Croenenberg. 🤷

I saw this last year at MIFF and there was a steady stream of walkouts. I stayed but I didn't enjoy the film at all - terrible dialogue and a mess of ideas that go nowhere (much like Crimes Of The Future).

Not my favourite Cronenberg but I really enjoyed it. It was all over the place but took such glee in the convoluted conspiracy theory and especially all that last 3rd had me giggling in the cinema. Guy Pierce was so funny. Heartfelt, weird, thought provoking and amusing, so I had a good time. The whole idea of graveyard politics is so Cronenberg but more than that, Sexualising the thrill of conspiracy theories is outrageous and timely and amazing 😆

I just got back from seeing this and I didn't know about its original intent to be a Netflix series but that does make sense in retrospect. It was all very half-baked. It doesn't seem like it would have been a very expensive series to produce but I guess Netflix had to save all they could so they could spend $300 million on the universally loved masterpiece that is The Electric State. 🙄

It was another 10/10 Cronenberg Mind Fk. I love the way it doesn’t try to explain anything, leaving you to fill in the gaps or draw from your own life experiences to create your own explanation. And then get your mind blown at the end trying to figure out wtf just happened. To me, this is what I would think of as stream of consciousness or even useful AI hallucinations.

There should be more movies like this. You go in cold, no idea what the hell it’s about and just experience it. Leave morality, judgement, and comparison to your own life at the door (as best you can at any rate lol).

His movies are not like Black Mirror where it’s all cleared up and logical by the end. Some assembly required and that’s why I love these art house films.

The only unfortunate thing for me is that it was just me and a couple of other nerds that showed up to witness this masterpiece.

I’ll definitely be picking it up on 4K disc and hope there’s a Director’s Cut. 👌🏻🤌

It was another 10/10 Cronenberg Mind Fk. I love the way it doesn’t try to explain anything, leaving you to fill in the gaps or draw from your own life experiences to create your own explanation. And then get your mind blown at the end trying to figure out wtf just happened. To me, this is what I would think of as stream of consciousness or even useful AI hallucinations.

There should be more movies like this. You go in cold, no idea what the hell it’s about and just experience it. Leave morality, judgement, and comparison to your own life at the door (as best you can at any rate lol).

The only unfortunate thing for me is that it was just me and a couple of other nerds that showed up to witness this masterpiece.

I’ll definitely be picking it up on 4K disc and hope there’s a Director’s Cut. 👌🏻🤌

I want to watch this just because of the director. Should offer something different than the standard cookie cutter horror movie

Sounds like Classic Cronenberg - Been a fan since I was a teen watching Shivers and later Rabid sitting outside in the back of a drive in near speakers with friends and our bikes - Can't wait to check this out

My day is literally made everytime I see you drop a video!!!

I can't believe i've managed to watch a film before your review coming out as you're always so boots on the ground which is why i live for you! I was mixed on this due to the premise of grief which has felt so overdone recently but i felt as though this really was grief done in true cronenberg style

I saw this over the weekend. Some of it was interesting in a "Black Mirror" kind of way...but it really seemed to go nowhere in the end.

Thx for the review i haven't heard any reviews on it yet, It's a shame this film is mid I'm just going to wait for VOD to watch it.

This is definitely a high concept movie. Experimental and personal…

Not too many reviews on this movie, but this video is not helping me decide…. 😂😂😂

I’ve been waiting years for this! Felt like it would never come out lol.. Thank you 😊

I love how nowadays when Cronenberg makes a movie, I have to ask "Which one?"

I saw this in theaters. I thought it was a mess. Terrible script with a terrible payoff. The final "twist" was so ridiculous people in the theater were laughing. Terrible movie, in my opinion.

I was let down by this one. It felt like the film wanted to say so much but didn't quite get to the "it" that Cronenberg was trying to get across. Appreciate your take🤙

I haven't heard about this one. Good review and cool video Emma!👍 Greetings from New York!🗽

Crime of the Future’s not really a remake. Just shares the name. Strange, I know. lol

Sadly probably my least favourite Cronenberg I’ve seen. Wish it focused more on the grief and love going beyond death and less on the corporate conspiracy.

We are seeing it this evening. We use Regal Unlimited membership and so it's basically free. Glad I watched this review first

I landed at a 2/5 for this. I’m convinced that the sexy koala was thrown in just to keep folks from walking out—because what even was that? The Shrouds isn’t a disaster, but it’s not something I’d ever rush to revisit. It’s like a racial conspiracy Tesla commercial + Cronenberg’s The Happening, except I actually kind of like The Happening (c’mon…it’s CAMP!).

The concept is compelling, but the execution is so lethargic, that even its stranger—and hornier—flourishes feel more like desperate jolts than deliberate choices. The acting is stiff across the board—Diane Kruger is the only one who feels remotely present (though Guy Pearce regains some control and starts to shine towards the end).

Honestly, this might have worked better as a dense, melancholic novel, the kind that sprawls over 600 pages and gives its themes room to breathe. But as a film, and I hate to say this—especially given how personal it clearly is—it misses a significant mark.

Also, fuck Teslas.

Hey 👋 Emma 💜💋👼🏻

Hundred seven

Very interesting premise 👍

Oh, i hated this movie so much. I saw it in the theater on Saturday 😭 the lead actor's acting was shockingly bad. I was really looking forward to it, it felt like The Room, but make it about grief. 😭

I never knew if lines were supposed to make me laugh, or just terrible delivery. I was terribly disappointed, the ending made me laugh out loud!! 😅

Love your videos and reviews! 🖤

I had to cancrl my tickets this weekend but still want to see it. Something about the scenes you showed, that i hadnt seen before, gives me flashbacks to that weird Robin Williams film The Final Cut. Have you seen it?

Horror is my favourite genre it's the only place which integrates multiple themes/genres into one single film also I like psychological horror/thrillers which is slow burn but the best cinema

Cronenberg has enjoyed using that mumblecore aesthetic a few times, most notably in Crash, so I was kind of expecting a bit of that. Haven't seen the movie yet but definitely want to check it out, even if it's not perfect. Thanks for the review :)

Happy Monday spooky.

Great review emma i watched Tales from the Crypt

From 1972 on tubi last night it was still good 😊

Disturbing horror movies 😮

The main actor just looks like a bad guy