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Basket Case 2
Basket Case 2
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Basket Case 2
Promotional release poster
Directed byFrank Henenlotter
Written byFrank Henenlotter
Produced byEdgar Ievins
StarringKevin Van Hentenryck
CinematographyRobert M. Baldwin
Edited byKevin Tent
Music byJoe Renzetti
Distributed byShapiro Glickenhaus Entertainment
Release date
  • March 2, 1990 (1990-03-02)
Running time
90 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$2,500,000[1]

Basket Case 2 is a 1990 American comedy horror film written and directed by Frank Henenlotter, and the sequel to his 1982 film Basket Case.[2] It stars Kevin Van Hentenryck reprising his role as Duane Bradley, who moves with his deformed, formerly conjoined twin brother Belial into a home for "unique individuals" run by their deceased aunt’s friend, eccentric philanthropist Granny Ruth (played by Annie Ross).[3]

The film spawned another sequel, Basket Case 3: The Progeny, in 1991.

Plot

[edit]

After falling from a hotel window at the end of the first film, Duane Bradley and his deformed, surgically-separated conjoined twin brother Belial are taken to the hospital. Their unusual situation draws media attention, making it impossible to lead a secret life. They are rescued from the hospital by Granny Ruth, who saw their story on the news. She takes them to her home, where she and her granddaughter Susan care for an extended family of similarly deformed individuals. Among these individuals is Eve, who is similar to Belial in that she is a bodyless torso. Traumatized by how she has been treated prior to Ruth rescuing her, Eve is mute and spends most of her time in the attic. A few years pass and as Eve and Belial fall in love, Duane's resentment of Belial grows. He hasn't forgiven Belial for Sharon's murder and wishes to live a life without being surrounded by "freaks", as previously he had been unable to leave Belial due to their psychic bond.

During all of this a sleazy reporter named Marcie and her equally sleazy photographer Arty have been looking for the Bradley brothers in order to bring them to justice. Upon discovering the freaks, Marcie decides that she will expose them to the world, forcing Ruth and the others to stop her. They kill Arty, as well as a private detective named Phil who was assisting Marcie. Duane and the other freaks break into Marcie's house after having obtained the address from a note in Phil's wallet; Belial mutilates her face, turning her into a freak as well.

That night the freaks celebrate their victory while Eve and Belial consummate their relationship in the attic. Seeing this as an opportunity to finally be free of Belial, Duane approaches Susan and asks her to run away with him. She is horrified that he would leave his brother and reveals that she, too, is a freak. She has been pregnant for six years as her baby refuses to leave her womb; upon revealing this, a grotesque lamprey-like creature emerges from Susan's surgical wounds where failed cesarean sections have been attempted. This shatters the last of Duane's psyche and he accidentally kills Susan by pushing her out a window. He then goes to Belial and forcibly sews him to his body. The film ends as Ruth and the others discover what Duane has done, and stare at him horrified while Duane says it’s all right now that they’re “together again”.

Cast

[edit]
  • Kevin Van Hentenryck as Duane Bradley[4] and Belial Bradley (voice; uncredited)[5]
  • Annie Ross as Granny Ruth[4]
  • Kathryn Meisle as Marcie Elliott[4]
  • Heather Rattray as Susan Smoeller[4]
  • Jason Evers as Lou, The Editor[4]
  • Ted Sorel as Phil[4]
  • Judy Grafe as News Woman[4]
  • Chad Brown as News Man[4]
  • Beverly Bonner as Casey[4]
  • Leonard Jackson as Police Commissioner[4]
  • Alexandra Auder as Nurse Sherri[4]
  • Brian Fitzpatrick as Cop[4]
  • Gale Van Cott as Desk Clerk[4]
  • Kuno Sponholz as Sick Old Man[4]
  • Dominic Marcus as Security Guard,[4] Belial Bradley (additional vocal effects) and Unique Individuals (voices; uncredited)
  • Doug Anderson as Snoring Cop[4]
  • Jan Saint as Lyle Barker[4]
  • Matt Mitler as Arty[4]
  • Michael Rubenstein as Clancy[4]
  • George Andros Aries as "Worm Man"[4]
  • Deborah Bauman as "Mouse Face"[4]
  • Marianne Carlson as Arthur "Huge Arthur"[4]
  • David Emge as "Half Moon"[4]
  • James Farley as Pearl[4]
  • Ron Fazio and Joseph Leavengood as Leon[4]
  • Tom Franco as "Frog Boy"[4]
  • Jeri LaShay as Ellice[4]
  • Matt Malloy and Jeffrey Danneman as "Toothy"[4]
  • Jody Oliver as "Brainiac"[4]
  • Nick Roberts as "Platehead"[4]
  • Michael Rogen as Man With 27 Noses[4]
  • Sturgis Warner as Frederick "The Pinhead"[4]
  • Denise Coop as Eve (uncredited)
  • Richard Pierce as Mr. Bradley (archive footage; uncredited)[4]
  • Diana Browne as Dr. Judith Kutter (archive footage; uncredited)[4]
  • Bill Freeman as Dr. Julius Lifflander (archive footage; uncredited)[4]
  • Lloyd Pace as Dr. Harold Needleman (archive footage; uncredited)[4]
  • Sean McCabe as Young Duane (archive footage; uncredited)[4]

Production

[edit]

Development

[edit]

Following the cult success and financial returns of Basket Case, writer-director Frank Henenlotter met producer James Glickenhaus of Shapiro-Glickenhaus Entertainment.[6] Henenlotter was trying to sell a script for a film named Insect City, a homage to monster movies from the 1950s, which had been turned down by other studios. Glickenhaus liked the script but knew that it would not sell.[7] When asked what other ideas that he had, Henenlotter made up the plot of Frankenhooker on the spot, and agreed to develop a sequel to Basket Case.[6] Henenlotter had initially not planned a sequel and wanted the characters of Duane and Belial Bradley to die after their fall,[8] but did not want to rehash the first film, and wrote a new screenplay, having the characters survive their fall at the beginning and move into a home for "unique individuals".[6] The film was originally called House of Freaks and would have focused on the unique individuals, with Duane having a small role.[9][1] Shapiro-Glickenhaus insisted that the film be named Basket Case 2 and Duane have a much larger role.[10]

Filming

[edit]

The film had a budget of $2.5 million, compared to the original film's budget of $35,000.[1] This allowed for more ambitious creature designs, practical effects and set construction, with funding secured through Shapiro-Glickenhaus. The film was shot back-to-back with Frankenhooker in August 30, 1989 – October 10, 1989,[11][6] being filmed in parts of Plainfield, New Jersey[11] (including the Tuesday Afternoon Club as the home for the "unique individuals") and Newark, New Jersey. Scooter McCrae worked as a production assistant in the art department.[12][13] During production of both films, Henenlotter drank Jolt Cola to stay awake, to the point where Jolt Cola agreed to sponsor the production.[10]

Casting

[edit]

Kevin Van Hentenryck was brought on to reprise his role as Duane Bradley. Henenlotter cast Annie Ross as Granny Ruth to help raise the film's finance and generate interest in it from buyers and investors.[14][10] Kathryn Meisle was cast in her first film role as Marcie Elliott.[15] Matt Mitler was cast as Arty.[16] David Emge played the role of "Half Moon".[17]

Special effects

[edit]

Gabe Bartalos was hired by Henenlotter to design the 22 "unique individuals"; both wanted to avoid using real-life deformities and came up with exaggerated, cartoonish ones instead.[18][19][6] Instead of using stop-motion like in the first film, Belial's movements were achieved through the use of animatronic puppetry, also designed by Bartalos.[18][10] Additional makeup effects were done by Barbara Anne Bock, Andy Clement, Gino Crognale, Dan Frye, Joel Harlow, Bill Messina, Nick Santeramo, and Paul Sciacca.

Music

[edit]

The film's score was written and composed by Joe Renzetti.[20][15][21]

Reception

[edit]

The staff of Variety called Basket Case 2 "a hilarious genre spoof" that pays homage to the 1932 film Freaks.[22] Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times complimented the film's atmosphere, which he felt was aided by the cinematography and score, and highlighted Ross and Van Hentenryck's performances.[23] He wrote that Basket Case 2 "has everything it needs to become the cult film that its 1982 predecessor has been: outrageous dark humor, bizarre horror, driving energy and genuine pathos."[23]

Joe Kane of the New York Daily News gave the film a mostly positive review, commending its "dark wit" and exploration of Duane and Belial's romantic pursuits.[2] He wrote that, "While the interior-bound sequel lacks the original's sleazy Times Square ambience, and most of the flick's secondary freaks are more whimsical than menacing in design [...] Basket Case 2 stacks up as fun fear fare for Basket Case cultists, fright-film fans and adventurous viewers of every stripe."[2] The New York Times' Caryn James wrote, "As cheap horror spoofs go, this one isn't all bad", but lamented a perceived deviation from an initial "tongue-in-cheek approach" as the film progresses, writing, "Twenty minutes or so into the movie, there is very little left to surprise you, except an exceptionally tacky ending."[24]

In his 2011 book Horror Films of the 1990s, John Kenneth Muir opined that Basket Case 2 was "disappointing" and that it "eschews all the qualities that made the down-and-dirty, low-budget original such a great pleasure."[15]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 86% based on seven surveyed critics, with an average rating of 6.3/10.[25]

Home media

[edit]

Basket Case 2 was released on DVD and Blu-ray by Synapse Films on October 30, 2007 and August 9, 2016.[26][27][28] In the United Kingdom, the film was released as part of Basket Case: The Trilogy by Second Sight Films on October 22, 2012 and March 14, 2016.[29][30][31]

Sequel

[edit]

The film was followed by another sequel, Basket Case 3: The Progeny, released in 1991.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Basket Case 2 is a American film that serves as the direct to the cult classic Basket Case. The story centers on Duane Bradley and his deformed, telepathically linked conjoined twin brother , who survive a dramatic fall from a hotel window and are subsequently rescued by social worker Susan and her grandmother, Granny Ruth, before being taken to a hidden community of sideshow freaks in . Written and directed by , the film expands on the original's blend of , dark humor, and practical effects, introducing a larger ensemble of grotesque characters. It stars Kevin VanHentenryck reprising his role as Duane Bradley, alongside as the enigmatic Granny Ruth, as Susan, and features a supporting cast including Judy Grafe, Chad Brown, and Beverly Bonner as various freakshow inhabitants. Produced by Shapiro Glickenhaus Entertainment with Edgar Ievins as producer and as executive producer, Basket Case 2 was shot on 35mm film in locations including Plainfield and , over a low-budget production that emphasized Henenlotter's signature stop-motion and techniques for Belial's movements. The film had its on March 2, 1990, in , with a runtime of 90 minutes and an R rating for its and gore.

Production

Development

Following the cult success and financial returns of the 1982 film Basket Case, which grossed significantly more than its modest production cost, director Frank Henenlotter was approached by producer James Glickenhaus to develop a sequel, despite the original's ending in which protagonists Duane and Belial appeared to perish in a fall. Henenlotter, who had not initially planned a follow-up, revived the characters by having them survive the incident and escape a hospital, integrating this into a new narrative centered on their integration into a hidden community. The sequel's budget expanded dramatically to an estimated $2.5 million—compared to the original's approximately $35,000—enabling more ambitious creature designs, practical effects, and set construction, with funding secured through Shapiro-Glickenhaus Entertainment, a company focused on low-to-mid-budget horror and action films. This financial boost stemmed from the first film's growing popularity on the midnight movie circuit and market, prompting Glickenhaus to push for commercialization of the property. Henenlotter penned the screenplay in the late , drawing on a pre-existing concept of a supportive enclave for societal outcasts to explore themes of belonging and acceptance among the deformed and marginalized, while toning down the original's gritty exploitation elements for broader appeal. He revised the script's darker ending at Glickenhaus's suggestion to avoid potential MPAA rating issues, shifting toward a more comedic tone. Pre-production involved reuniting key personnel from the original, including producer Edgar Ievins, who oversaw logistics and budgeting, and casting director Caroline Sinclair, who handled auditions for the expanded ensemble of character actors portraying the freak community. Henenlotter collaborated with Bartalos early on to conceptualize exaggerated, cartoonish deformities, emphasizing thematic depth over realism. The project was produced under Shapiro-Glickenhaus Entertainment, with slated to begin in 1989.

Filming

Principal photography for Basket Case 2 commenced on August 30, 1989, and concluded on October 10, 1989. The production was primarily shot in Newark and , capturing urban exteriors that stood in for the film's setting, including chase sequences through city streets. With a reported at approximately $2.5 million—significantly higher than the $35,000 for the original film—the sequel allowed for an expanded crew and better equipment, though independent constraints persisted, such as limited resources for location permits and on-set logistics. Special makeup effects artist Gabe Bartalos led the creation of the film's community of deformed characters, employing practical prosthetics and latex appliances to depict a of mutants, including variations evoking Elephant Man-like distortions and other figures. These effects, realized through hand-sculpted designs and on-set applications, emphasized surreal flesh-stretching techniques to portray the freaks' unique deformities, such as a cyclops and Siamese twins, enhancing the film's satirical take on outsider communities. Director incorporated improvisational elements during scenes with actors in creature suits, allowing for spontaneous interactions among the ensemble of prosthetics-wearing performers to capture the chaotic energy of the freak house sequences. For Belial's movements, the production shifted from the stop-motion animation of to animatronic , providing more fluid and expressive actions while maintaining the character's essence.

Content

Plot

Following the events of the first film, where the surgically separated Duane and Belial fell from a hotel window, the brothers survive and are rescued by the philanthropic Granny Ruth, who relocates them to her secluded [Staten Island](/page/Staten Island) mansion serving as a sanctuary for societal outcasts afflicted with severe deformities. The home houses a diverse community of "unique individuals," including residents with extreme physical anomalies, providing the twins a place to hide from media scrutiny over their infamous past. As time passes, Duane's resentment toward intensifies due to his brother's uncontrollable violent impulses, particularly the prior murder of Duane's girlfriend Sharon. Duane begins a romance with Susan, Granny Ruth's seemingly normal granddaughter and a fellow resident, while Belial develops jealousy and falls in love with , a mute resident reduced to a bodiless housed in a rolling cabinet, mirroring his own form. The community's secrecy is threatened by ambitious tabloid journalist , who enlists a and to uncover and expose the hidden freak haven for sensational headlines. This escalates into a violent confrontation as the residents defend their home, gruesomely eliminating the intruders through coordinated attacks involving Belial's rage-fueled assaults and the group's collective retaliation. Amid the chaos, Duane learns Susan has endured a six-year with a monstrous, parasitic creature trapped in her womb; in a moment of horror and madness, he pushes her out a to her death. In the film's climax, Duane, grappling with his isolation and embracing their unbreakable connection, performs a crude to reattach Belial's deformed body to his own side, restoring their original siamese state and affirming their bond as the credits roll amid eerie laughter from the reunited twins.

Cast

Kevin VanHentenryck reprises his role as Duane Bradley, the human conjoined twin from the 1982 film, and provides the voice for his deformed twin brother , who resides in a basket. Annie Ross portrays Granny Ruth, the protective leader of a hidden community of individuals with deformities. Kathryn Meisle as Marcie, the tabloid journalist who seeks to expose the community. Heather Rattray as Susan, Granny Ruth's granddaughter and a resident who becomes Duane's romantic interest. In supporting roles, Judy Grafe is cast as the news woman, an invasive reporter pursuing the story; Leonard Jackson as the police commissioner; Alexandra Auder as Nurse Sherri; and Beverly Bonner reprises her role as Casey, the motel receptionist from the original film.

Release

Distribution

Basket Case 2 premiered on March 2, 1990, at a screening in . This was followed by a in the United States, distributed by Shapiro Glickenhaus Entertainment. The film was marketed as a and sequel to the 1982 cult horror hit Basket Case, with promotional posters featuring the ensemble of freaks and emphasizing the story's gore and community of outcasts. Its independent production limited tracking, resulting in scant data on earnings and no wide national rollout, consistent with its niche appeal to horror enthusiasts. Internationally, distribution occurred in the early 1990s primarily through releases and festival screenings, including an appearance at WorldFest on April 21, 1990.

Home media

Basket Case 2 received its initial release on in 1990 through Shapiro Glickenhaus Home Video, marking the film's early availability to consumers following its theatrical run. The film saw a DVD edition on October 30, 2007, from Synapse Films, which included high-definition transfer from the original 35mm negative, along with two featurettes: "The Man in the Moon Mask" interview with actor and "Beyond the Wicker," a behind-the-scenes look at the production. Synapse Films handled the Blu-ray debut on August 9, 2016, featuring a high-definition transfer sourced from the original 35mm camera negative, English DTS-HD MA 2.0 Stereo audio, and the same extras as the DVD, including the interview and "Beyond the Wicker" featurette. As of November 2025, Basket Case 2 is available for streaming on platforms such as , , and Screambox, with no major new releases since the 2016 Blu-ray, though digital remasters appear in various horror collections. Special editions have included packaging, such as the 2012 Second Sight Films limited edition steelbook set bundling Basket Case 2 with the first and third films.

Reception and legacy

Critical reception

Upon its release, Basket Case 2 received generally positive reviews from critics, earning an aggregate score of 86% on based on seven reviews, with an average rating of 6.3/10. Reviewers frequently highlighted the film's humor, practical effects, and the ensemble of freak characters as key strengths, praising its shift toward offbeat while retaining elements. Contemporary critics in 1990 appreciated the sequel's potential as a cult favorite. The lauded its "outrageous dark humor, bizarre horror, driving energy," positioning it as an ideal with cult appeal similar to the original. Variety noted the improved production values, including enhanced makeup effects by Gabe Bartalos, but observed that the horror was somewhat diluted in favor of a "hilarious spoof" tone, with sympathetic portrayals of the freaks evolving into demented action. Retrospective analyses have continued to commend director Frank Henenlotter's handling of the material and Kevin Van Hentenryck's dual performance as Duane and the voice of . A 2024 review in Spectrum Culture praised Henenlotter's transformation of the film into an "offbeat horror " using its budget for detailed creature designs and absurd on media intrusion, such as Granny Ruth's resistance to a prying reporter, while adding depth to Van Hentenryck's portrayal of Duane's desire for normalcy. However, the same review critiqued the film's occasional lack of clear compared to the original, contributing to uneven pacing in its recap and escalation. Critics have expressed mixed views on the film's pivot from the first installment's straight horror to a more comedic ensemble piece, with some arguing it sacrifices for whimsy and lessens the overall intensity. This tonal shift, while broadening its appeal through practical effects and character-driven humor, has led others to describe it as less viscerally disturbing than its predecessor.

Cultural impact

Basket Case 2 emerged as a during the circuit, building on the original film's reputation for outrageous dark humor and bizarre horror that appealed to late-night audiences at venues like the Nuart Theatre. Its exaggerated depictions of deformity and community among outsiders influenced subsequent indie horror films by blending with comedic elements, celebrating marginalized figures in a way that mocked more conventional genre tropes. The film explores themes of acceptance through its portrayal of a hidden community of "freaks" led by Granny Ruth, who provides shelter and dignity against societal exploitation, while critiquing media that turns personal tragedies into spectacles. This narrative draws direct parallels to Tod Browning's Freaks (1932), as director explicitly homaged the classic by placing protagonists Duane and within a sympathetic of deformed individuals, emphasizing their humanity over horror. underscores the story's emotional core, highlighting tensions between codependence and independence in the face of external judgment. Within Frank Henenlotter's filmography, Basket Case 2 serves as a pivotal bridge between the low-budget gore of his debut Basket Case () and the comedic splatter of later works like (), amplifying practical effects and ensemble casts while contributing to the revival of "" aesthetics in home media collections during the . Its fan legacy endures through horror conventions where cast members appear and merchandise such as T-shirts and apparel from retailers.

Sequel

Basket Case 3: The Progeny serves as the direct sequel to Basket Case 2, written and directed by , picking up immediately from the prior film's conclusion where the reattached Duane and , along with Granny Ruth, embark on a bus trip southward. The narrative expands the storyline by introducing 's impregnation of his girlfriend , resulting in the birth of twelve offspring, and their integration into a larger family dynamic fraught with conflict and absurdity. Production commenced in 1990 with a budget of $2 million, though plans for filming in New York were altered, with principal photography ultimately occurring in Georgia. Returning cast members included Kevin Van Hentenryck as Duane Bradley and as Granny Ruth, supplemented by newcomers such as Hilbert in the role of Opal. After production delays extending the timeline, the film received a theatrical release on February 21, 1992, distributed by Shapiro Glickenhaus Entertainment. Regarded as the trilogy's finale, Basket Case 3 amplifies the series' penchant for escalating absurdity through cartoonish gore, freakish family antics, and over-the-top comedy, yet it drew criticism for rubbery practical effects deemed less effective than those in Basket Case 2, marking it as Henenlotter's most disappointing work.

References

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