The 1982 Frank Henenlotter horror movie “Basket Case” has a straight-to-video feel to it, with tawdry effects and cinematography coupled with abhorrent acting – and it knows it.
What it does well is the atmosphere. It’s set in a gloomy 1982 New York City, with a seedy motel being the central location and the foreboding Twin Towers etched amidst the pre-revitalized coffee-shop-shenanigans skyline.
Duane Bradley (Kevin Van Hentenryck) checks into a cheap hotel, carrying with him a wad of cash and more importantly, a large whisker basket, its ambiguous contents sealed with a padlock. Duane is vague when asked by various people he encounters what the contents of the basket are. Actor Kevin Van Hentenryck is a charming appearing fellow, with the perfect psychotic Ted Bundy undertones in his look.
SPOILER ALERT! This is what’s in the basket
In true “Jaws” style, exactly what is inside the basket remains a mystery for the first half of the film. Duane converses with whatever it is, though it’s a seemingly one sided conversation. We hear primitive and haunting sounds so we know there’s something in there. Duane carries the basket around with a protective purpose, even at one point taking it with him to the movies. He has secret plans which we don’t discover until the hideous reveal – which itself is a classic moment in cult horror history.
“Basket Case” has gore, weird ancillary characters that try to steal the show, and lots of WTF scenes. The big mistake is the limited special effects, which wreck the movie. Once the creature from the basket is released, the poor visuals fill the rest of the running time – 91 minutes – and reveal not only the monster but just how limited the budget is.
“Basket Case” is a pretty bad movie – but I think that’s exactly what Frank Henenlotter, Kevin Van Hentenryck and company wanted. Its fun to watch and poke fun at, and if you are at a Halloween party, would be a perfect thing to leave on in the background (silenced of course).
