Scanners
Directed by David Cronenberg6.769%64%6.7
Darryl Revok is the most powerful of all the scanners, and is the head of the underground scanner movement for world domination. Scanners have great psychic power, strong enough to control minds; they can inflict enormous pain/damage on their victims. Doctor Paul Ruth finds a scanner that Revok hasn't, and converts him to their cause - to destroy the underground movement.
Where to Watch Scanners
Scanners Ratings & Reviews
- Anthony GalindoJanuary 22, 2026I loved it when it first came out. Rewatched it and it's still a great movie.
- Jeff StoughtonJanuary 30, 2026Before Stranger Things, Strange Brew, and even Jimmy Tango’s Fatbusters……there was this epic film!
- Tom BennettDecember 11, 2025Yes it’s schlocky and a bit low budget and there’s some subpar performances like (cough Lack cough) but overall a good story told in a classic David Cronenberg style with all of the body horror and twists and turns you’ve come to expect. Michael Ironside goes all in on a fine physical performance as the villain. The legendary Patrick McGoohan (from ‘the prisoner’ series) plays his nemesis with great flair and a crazy monologue. The pacing is great and of course we have longtime collaborator Howard Shore contributing one of his best soundtracks to really amp things up, all set against the backdrop of a Canadian winter. Scanners has a definite mood and atmosphere. I wanted to be a scanner when I saw this movie in my teens and fantasised about using my scanner powers to take down the school bully! If you’re down for a classic Cronenberg thriller with a little bit of body horror, some decent performances and a satisfying ending then I recommend.
- maub17August 10, 2025I think It was probably good at the time.
Scanners Trivia
Scanners was released on January 14, 1981.
Scanners was directed by David Cronenberg.
Scanners has a runtime of 1h 43m.
Scanners was produced by Claude Héroux.
Darryl Revok is the most powerful of all the scanners, and is the head of the underground scanner movement for world domination. Scanners have great psychic power, strong enough to control minds; they can inflict enormous pain/damage on their victims. Doctor Paul Ruth finds a scanner that Revok hasn't, and converts him to their cause - to destroy the underground movement.
The key characters in Scanners are Cameron Vale (Stephen Lack), Kim Obrist (Jennifer O'Neill), Darryl Revok (Michael Ironside).
Scanners is rated R.
Scanners is a Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller film.
Scanners has an audience rating of 6.4 out of 10.
Scanners had a budget of $4.1M.
Scanners has made $14.2M at the box office.