The Brood

The Brood 1979

Directed by

David Cronenberg

David Cronenberg

Made by

Difilm

Difilm

Test your knowledge of The Brood with our quiz!

Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of The Brood (1979). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


At the Somafree Institute, Dr. Hal Raglan humiliates his patient, Mike, by stating, > “you’re just a weak person. You must have got that from your mother. It probably would have been better for you if you had been born a girl!” On a dimly lit stage, Raglan demands that Mike show his anger, revealing angry red blotches across his torso that leave the audience in shock. Raglan explains this phenomenon as psychoplasmics, which refers to the physical manifestation of one’s mental rage.

Meanwhile, Frank Carveth is picking up his nine-year-old daughter, Candy, from a ‘Private Guest Room’. Dressed in a red coat with fur trim, Candy’s back is discovered to have bruises and scratches during a bath. Frank immediately drives to the Somafree Institute to confront Raglan, demanding to see his wife, Nola, who has been committed there after experiencing a nervous breakdown. Raglan refuses to allow Frank to see Nola, claiming legal issues if he denies Nola a crucial part of her treatment. Frustrated, Frank seeks advice from his lawyer, Al Resnikoff, who informs him that Nola holds a stronger legal position because of her commitment. Determined, Frank takes Candy to her maternal grandmother, Juliana, who appears quite anxious.

Inside the institute, Raglan attempts to get information from Nola by pretending to be Candy. In response to her distress, he states, > “Mummies don’t hurt their own children.” Nola sobs that, indeed, they do, mentioning her own troubled childhood. Raglan encourages Nola to embrace her anger, saying, “Go all the way through it, right to the end.”

That evening, while investigating a noise in the kitchen, Juliana is attacked and killed by what appears to be a small child in a red hooded coat, leaving Candy as a quiet, horrified witness. The next morning, Frank learns of Juliana’s murder and is advised by police psychologist Dr. Birkin to guide Candy’s recollection of the event, as repressed memories can lead to breakdowns. Dr. Birkin warns him, “These things tend to express themselves in one way or another.”

Back at the institute, Raglan, posing as Candy’s father, stirs up anger in Nola, creating red welts on her forehead while they delve into her troubled emotions. At the airport, Frank meets Barton Kelly, Nola’s estranged father, who attends the funeral of his ex-wife. On the advice of Resnikoff, Frank contacts Jan Hartog, an ex-patient of Somafree seeking legal action against Raglan, who expresses his struggles with the treatment: “Raglan encourages my body to revolt against me. And it did. I have a small revolution on my hands and I’m not putting it down very successfully.”

Back at the institute, a distraught Barton confronts Raglan, demanding to see Nola. Simultaneously, Frank attends Candy’s school, where her teacher Ruth Mayer joins them for dinner. That night, as Barton finds himself alone, he is brutally murdered by the hooded creature, furthering the cycle of violence tied to Nola’s rage.

When Ruth innocently receives a phone call from Nola, her jealousy erupts into chaos. At the police station, Frank learns from the pathologist that the creature that attacked him perished because it “ran out of gas,” resembling nothing human with its peculiar features. Meanwhile, outside Nola’s room, Raglan deceives her with claims that Frank will leave her for Ruth.

Upon returning home, Frank finds Candy terrified after a nightmare and reassures her that the creature is dead. The following day, Raglan learns of Barton’s murder and prepares to evacuate all patients from the institute. Frank, discovering Mike as a fellow patient of Hartog’s, grows increasingly angry when Mike complains about being abandoned.

In class, Candy is taken captive by two small creatures who brutally attack Ruth, leading to a frantic search by Frank who arrives too late. As the horror unfolds at the institute, Nola becomes aware of her children’s growing threats.

In a heart-wrenching climax, Frank discovers the shocking truth about Nola, who has physically manifested her rage into the form of these Brood children, who do her sinister bidding whenever her anger is stirred. Raglan explains to Frank that to retrieve Candy, he must convince Nola to suppress her rage. Frank discovers Nola in a trance, revealing a grotesque external womb connected to her body that nurtures the Brood.

As Frank intervenes in Nola’s rage-fueled birth, the Brood awaken, launching a deadly assault on Raglan. In a moment of desperation, he strangles Nola to save Candy, severing the connection that animated the creature children. As silence descends upon the institute, Frank finds Candy trembling in fear, realizing with horror that her marks may signify a deeper connection to her mother’s rage. With a blank expression, Candy is driven home by Frank, unaware of the dark legacy she carries within.

Timeline

Track the key events of The Brood (1979) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Dr. Raglan's Humiliation of Mike

At the Somafree Institute, Dr. Hal Raglan publicly humiliates his patient Mike during a therapy session. He attributes Mike's perceived weaknesses to his mother, stating it might have been better had he been born a girl, leaving the audience shocked by the callous display.

Somafree Institute

Frank Finds Bruises on Candy

Frank Carveth picks up his daughter, Candy, from a private guest room. Upon giving her a bath, he discovers bruises and scratches on her back, raising immediate concerns about her wellbeing and prompting him to seek answers from Dr. Raglan.

Confrontation at the Institute

Determined to see his wife Nola, Frank confronts Dr. Raglan at the Somafree Institute. Raglan, citing legal reasons, refuses Frank's request, which fuels Frank’s frustration and determination to seek justice for his family.

Somafree Institute

Seeking Legal Counsel

Frustrated by Raglan's refusal, Frank consults his lawyer, Al Resnikoff. Al informs Frank that Nola holds a stronger legal position due to her commitment, complicating Frank's efforts to gain access to his wife and daughter.

Juliana's Attack

Later that night, Frank's mother-in-law, Juliana, is brutally attacked in her home by a small child in a red hooded coat. Candy, who witnesses the horrifying event, is left in shock and silence.

Night Juliana's home

Frank Meets with Dr. Birkin

The next morning, Frank meets with police psychologist Dr. Birkin, who advises him to help Candy recall the traumatic events. Dr. Birkin warns that repressed memories can lead to severe psychological issues, further pressing Frank's concerns for his daughter's safety.

Raglan's Manipulation of Nola

Back at the Somafree Institute, Dr. Raglan poses as Candy’s father while attempting to provoke Nola into expressing her anger. This manipulation results in physical manifestations of her rage, revealing the deep psychological issues haunting her.

Somafree Institute

Barton Kelly's Arrival

Frank encounters Barton Kelly, Nola's estranged father, who has come to attend the funeral of his ex-wife. Their shared grief and frustration towards Raglan connect them in their quest for answers regarding Nola's treatment.

Airport

Barton’s Confrontation

Barton Kelly confronts Dr. Raglan at the Institute, seeking to see Nola. In a tragic turn, Barton is brutally murdered by the hooded creature later that night, escalating the horror surrounding Raglan's practices.

Night Somafree Institute

Ruth's Call from Nola

Ruth Mayer, Candy's teacher, unknowingly answers a call from Nola, which ignites jealousy in Nola. This emotional trigger leads to chaotic events, showcasing the connection between Nola's rage and the violence that follows.

The Discovery of Barton's Murder

Frank learns from a pathologist that the creature responsible for Barton's death was not human but a manifestation of Nola's suppressed rage. This revelation adds a layer of horror to the unfolding events and casts doubt on everyone's safety.

Police Station

Frank's Struggle to Protect Candy

As the horror continues, Frank grows increasingly anxious about the safety of Candy. Nola's rage manifests in violent ways, and Frank realizes he must act quickly to protect her from the evil that surrounds them.

The Climax: Discovering Nola's Secret

In a heart-wrenching climax, Frank uncovers the terrible truth: Nola has given birth to the Brood children, who carry out her dark wishes. Raglan reveals that she must suppress her rage for Candy's safety, forcing Frank to confront a horrifying reality.

Somafree Institute

The Confrontation with Nola

Frank intervenes in Nola's rage-fueled delivery of the Brood, leading to a chaotic confrontation. In a desperate bid to save Candy, he ultimately strangles Nola, severing the connection that animated the creatures.

Somafree Institute

Aftermath and Realization

As silence falls over the institute, Frank finds a terrified Candy, now seemingly marked by her mother's rage. The realization of their dark, shared legacy leaves them both haunted as they drive home, plunging into an uncertain future.

Characters

Meet the characters that bring The Brood (1979) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Frank Carveth

Frank Carveth is a devoted father desperate to protect his daughter, Candy, from the horrors surrounding them. His character embodies the struggle against powerlessness as he confronts the sinister forces tied to his estranged wife, Nola. His determination to uncover the truth reveals his resilience, but also the depths of his despair.

👨‍👧‍👦 Fatherhood 😟 Desperation 🔍 Investigation

Nola Carveth

Nola Carveth is a deeply troubled woman undergoing radical treatment at the Somafree Institute. Her character is defined by her intense emotions and unresolved trauma, leading to terrifying consequences for those around her. As her anger manifests into the Brood children, she embodies the complex interplay between motherhood and rage.

👩‍👧 Rage 🧠 Trauma 🍼 Motherhood

Candy Carveth

Candy Carveth is the innocent and vulnerable daughter caught in the violent emotional turbulence surrounding her family. Her experiences, including witnessing horrific events, shape her character into a symbol of innocence threatened by her mother's dark legacy. Despite her youth, the marks she bears suggest a deeper connection to her mother's rage that looms over her future.

👧 Innocence 🔮 Future 🕊️ Trauma

Dr. Hal Raglan

Dr. Hal Raglan is a controversial figure whose experimental approach to therapy leads to dire consequences. His character embodies the risks associated with psychological manipulation, as he delves into his patients' emotions to provoke responses that he believes will lead to healing. However, his methods provoke chaos and violence, questioning the ethics of psychological treatment.

👨‍⚕️ Manipulation 📉 Ethics 🔬 Therapy

Setting

Uncover the settings of The Brood (1979), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Location

Somafree Institute, Private Guest Room

The Somafree Institute is a mental health facility known for its experimental treatment methods under the guidance of Dr. Hal Raglan. It serves as a backdrop for the psychological turmoil and family struggles of the characters involved. The Private Guest Room is a secluded space within the institute where tension and fear emerge, illustrating the fragile state of relationships affected by trauma.

🏥 Institution 🏠 Home

Themes

Explore the core themes of The Brood (1979). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


💔

Familial Trauma

Familial trauma is a central theme in 'The Brood', exploring how past wounds and unresolved anger within a family can manifest in violent and destructive ways. Nola's repressed rage not only affects her but spills over into the lives of her loved ones, particularly her daughter, Candy, illustrating the cyclical nature of trauma. This theme invites viewers to examine the impact of emotional scars on familial relationships.

😡

Anger and Transformation

The theme of anger and its transformative power pervades the narrative, driving characters to confront their inner demons. Dr. Raglan's psychoplasmics demonstrates how suppressed emotions can result in physical manifestations, leading to chaos and destruction. Nola's journey reveals that unaddressed rage can create a monstrous reality, emphasizing the importance of emotional expression and healing.

© 2024 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.