Naked Lunch18

Directed by David Cronenberg | Canada | 1991 | 1h 55m (+ 20min short film) | Starring Peter Weller, Judy Davis, Ian Holm, Julian Sands, Roy Scheider, Monique Mercure

Bug exterminator Bill Lee discovers that the insecticide he uses has potent hallucinogenic effects. After becoming deeply addicted, Bill descends into the nightmarish Interzone, a bizarre underworld filled with sinister government conspiracies and giant, talking insects. Equal parts darkly humorous and grotesque, cult filmmaker David Cronenberg (The Fly, Videodrome, Crash) brings to life this surreal adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ hallucinatory novel, once considered impossible to film.

Naked Lunch will be preceded by a special presentation of Kōji Yamamura’s short film Franz Kafka’s A Country Doctor (2007).

Reviews

‘Obviously this is not everybody’s cup of weird tea: you must have a taste for the aesthetics of disgust. For those up to the dare, it’s one clammily compelling movie.’
David Ansen, Newsweek

Sorry - you missed it!

We showed Naked Lunch between October 21, 2024 and October 25, 2024.

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What else is on?

Today (Sunday 18th January)

14:15

The Elephant Man 12A
+ Introduction
2h 3m
Victorian surgeon Frederick Treves rescues severely deformed John Merrick from sideshow exploitation, discovering his intelligence and dignity. David Lynch’s atmospheric, Oscar-nominated drama turns a true story into a moving portrait of compassion and friendship that reveals the director’s visionary power.

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17:00

Peter Hujar's Day 12A
1h 16m
Peter Hujar guides writer Linda Rosenkrantz through a single, vibrant day in 1974 New York, revealing the rituals, friendships, and artistic inspirations that shape his life. Ira Sachs’ intimate period piece celebrates creativity, culture, and the city’s dynamic energy.

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19:00

Marty Supreme 15
2h 30m
1950s New Yorker Marty Mauser dreams of becoming a table tennis legend while juggling ambition, love, and personal turmoil. Timothée Chalamet shines in Josh Safdie’s (Uncut Gems) electrifying tale of fame, obsession, and the intoxicating lure of the American Dream.

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Tomorrow (Monday 19th January)

17:30

Marty Supreme 15
Descriptive Subtitles
2h 30m
1950s New Yorker Marty Mauser dreams of becoming a table tennis legend while juggling ambition, love, and personal turmoil. Timothée Chalamet shines in Josh Safdie’s (Uncut Gems) electrifying tale of fame, obsession, and the intoxicating lure of the American Dream.

Book here

20:45

Sentimental Value 15
2h 13m | Norwegian w/ English subtitles
Actress Nora confronts her estranged father, a famed director preparing a comeback, and reconnects with her sister. Old tensions and new ambitions collide, forcing them to face their past. Stellan Skarsgård and Elle Fanning star in Joachim Trier’s (The Worst Person in the World) emotionally rich story of reconciliation.

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Plan your visit

Our beautiful art deco inspired auditorium can be found just off East Oxford's Cowley Road.We are open 7 days a week. We open the cinema and box office 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of each film, and the Box Office then closes 10 minutes after the film starts. We only show a few adverts – less than most cinemas – and we only play a couple of trailers, so please don’t be late as the film itself starts very close to the advertised time!