Basket Case 3: The Progeny (1992)

The freak show continues in part 3, picking off immediately after the events of the last installment. This time, Belial’s mate gives birth to a litter of little monsters…that’s about the impetus here. Unfortunately, it’s not enough to sustain an entire feature and it falls a little flat…even when you've got these insanely mad make-up and practical effects going on all around. By this point, the novelty value of the series has begun to run dry, so it’s just as well that this is the last volume. Even so, it’s still entertaining if you can stomach the first two.

2 mechanical claws out of 5

Basket Case 2 (1990)

Picks up immediately following the aftermath of part one. This time, the fleshy lump monstrosity has companions. These mutants are a collection of freaks straight out of Nightbreed. Showcases Henenlotter’s penchant for more twisted and disgusting abominations, which has increasingly become a staple of his work. With a little more budget and brainstorming, the design of Belial has evolved into a more articulated and humanistic creation…and he’s a freaky-looking thing.

2.5 hybrid creatures out of 5

Basket Case (1982)

Duane Bradley has a secret. He carries his deformed, half-aborted Siamese twin (with whom he shares a psychic connection) around with him in a basket as he goes around exacting revenge on the doctors that separated them. Plays like the fucked up cousin to Dead Ringers. Frank Henenlotter’s first feature, as he proves himself a master of schlock and gore following in the footsteps of the great (bad) Herschell Gordon Lewis. There’s no denying this is a shitty movie, but it’s a good shitty movie, if that makes any sense.

3.5 medical monstrosities out of 5