The Fly

How far is too far when discussing the limits of human science? Should all fields of science be explored to the greatest extent, reason be damned? A fledgling scientist played by Jeff Goldblum in “The Fly” attempts to explore the limits of human exploration. One of the greatest achievements of man, or at least one of the greatest achievements on the big screen, is one of teleportation. Imagine the benefits, the ability to travel great distances in a moment’s time. Such an accomplishment would greatly change the world, however, what would the cost be?
Seth Brundle is a scientist struggling to develop a miracle, to attain the impossible. He discovers a way to transcend time and space and teleport inanimate objects as well as living tissue. What Seth does not realize he has also discovered what a potential ramification of such an act might provide. Humans are not meant to travel in such means, the price of playing god in such a way could be enormous.
After several very successful attempts of sending small inanimate objects through his teleportation machine, Seth decides to raise the bar. He feels that it is time to send living tissue through his machine. His first attempt is done by attempting to transport a baboon from one pod to another. This experiment ends in a frightening failure. In a dramatic bang as the bloody hand of the baboon is slammed against the opaque door of the teleportation machine. When the doors swings open after Seth initiates the opening sequence a writhing, bloody carcass of the baboon foreshadows what is to come.
The failure of the first baboon only stood to drive Seth further on his quest for teleportation. He continued to refine and perfect his work until he finally was able to send a baboon through the teleportation machine successfully. With furthering ambition after fruitfully sending a live baboon through the machine, Seth feels that it is time that he once again raises the bar. He decides that it is time to send the ultimate species through the machine. He decides to send a human and the human that he settles on is himself.
Utilizing a “state of the art” computer, Seth sets the final parameters on his teleportation machine. Nervously stepping into the teleportation pod, Seth commenced to send himself across the room to the second pod. Ominously, during the sequence, the light noise of a fly buzzing about is heard through the speakers. Seth seems oblivious to this fact as he steps into the unknown.
He walks out of the second pod, almost reborn as a new man. He is whole, complete; nothing has appeared to have gone awry. Appearances aren’t always as they seem. Sadly, a common housefly had entered the pod without Seth’s knowledge. Through a process known as “fusion”, Seth had been unwittingly fused on a molecular/genetic level with the fly. This process was a slow change, resulting in the gradual degradation of Seth’s humanity as well as his sanity. Replacing Seth’s humanity was something more sinister, something more fly-like. This fly is solely devoted to the acquisition of food and procreation.
Seth transitions from something human, something rational to something simpler, more basic. What Seth has become is simply “The Fly”. At this point Seth hardly can be referred to as human or even as Seth. The fly with its basic instincts becomes something more of an evil killer. With the transformation complete the only viable solution to the problem becomes clear. The fly must be destroyed. In a dramatic sequence involving the teleportation pod and a shotgun the fly is finally killed.
The Fly has many elements that make up the “art-horror” film including the visual representation of the disgusting. The monster is clearly the scientist Seth whom turns into this awful looking creature. His flesh starts peeling and limbs transform into a fly-like being. The transformation is thoroughly disgusting. The monster is fearsome and promotes the idea of fusion, which shows the horrific biology that makes the monster up.