Parasite | 1982 | USA | Charles Band

Set in an alternative future in the style of Mad Max, this science fiction exploitation picture is from the prolific Charles Band, an icon associated with Full Moon Features which was responsible for the Puppet Master and Evil Bong franchises. Introducing actress Demi Moore in her earliest screen role, the film tells the story of Dr. Paul Dean, who escapes a governmental project with a sample of a parasitic life form engineered to infect the general populace. After encountering a gang of raider thugs, the creature is let loose and causes havoc through fatal infections, forcing Paul to team up with a lemon seller Patricia to both destroy the life form as well as evade a shadowy assassin who plans to recapture the asset intact. Clearly taking inspiration from Alien and its succeeding imitators, this post-apocalyptic treat manages to exceed its shortcomings to provide a fun and cheesy ride. Potentially the film’s take on the infamous ‘chestburster’ scene involving victims’ faces wasn’t considered acceptable by the DPP.