eXistenZ

Synopsis
A renowned international virtual reality game designer (Jennifer Jason Leigh), creator of a new interactive game called eXistenZ, becomes the target of an assassination plot by a group of religious fanatics. She is forced to go into hiding with a novice security guard (Jude Law) sworn to protect her. However, during the chase the two of them experience a world where the boundaries of fantasy and reality are blurred and nothing is as it seems. A psychosexual mindbender from director David Cronenberg.

Production Notes
In the original script, the game was not going to be played on camera, but as writer-director David Cronenberg got more into it, the game began to become more and more important.
EXISTENZ was the first film that Cronenberg wrote and directed since VIDEODROME.

Salman Rushdie's battle against the fatwa taken out on his life served as inspiration for Cronenberg when working on EXISTENZ.

Reviews
"...Powerful, intelligent, disturbing, and, believe it or not, fun movie, one that's worth seeing multiple times..." (Premiere)

"...Unusually witty....The psychological depths Cronenberg reaches are tingling to fathom..." -- Rating: B+ (Entertainment Weekly)

"...EXISTENZ has the oozing, throbbing, ghoulish hallmarks of other Cronenberg fever dreams..." (New York Times)

"....Cronenberg's observations reflect the concern that technology is replacing social interaction....[With] complex themes and even more complex plot..." (Box Office)

"...The acting is good, there are provocative moments and Cronenberg has a sharp ending up his sleeve..." (USA Today)

"...A provocative entertainment....The Cronenberg trademarks are here in full force....Sci-fi fantasy/horror doesn't get more sophisticated than EXISTENZ..." (Los Angeles Times)