From Beyond: Okay, the Costumes Were Something

Alright, so I finally watched "From Beyond" (1986) and...wow. I went in knowing it was supposed to be gross and weird, and it delivered. But as always, my brain fixated on the fashion (or lack thereof). Like, Dr. Pretorius? That dude's style was...avant-garde, to put it nicely. All that leather, the weird neck brace thing...it was like a bondage fever dream gone wrong? And Jeffrey Combs, bless him, spends half the movie covered in slime and/or ripped clothing. Not exactly runway material. I just kept thinking, 'Poor costume department, they must have had a blast...or a total nightmare!' What really stood out was Barbara Crampton's wardrobe as Dr. McMichaels, though. At first, she's all buttoned-up and professional in her tailored blouses and skirts, which totally reflects her initially skeptical and controlled personality. But as she gets more and more affected by the Resonator (and honestly, gets a little freaky herself), her outfits become more revealing, almost...suggestive? I love how the costume change mirrors her character's transformation from a serious doctor to someone embracing the madness. It’s subtle, but it works so well. Okay, maybe I'm overthinking things. The movie is primarily about fleshy monsters and interdimensional orgies, not haute couture, lol. But I think even in a schlocky, low-budget horror film, there are choices that can elevate the storytelling. And Dr. McMichael's transformation, visually reinforced by her clothing, definitely did that for me. Overall, "From Beyond" is a wild ride. Was it "good"? Debatable. Was it memorable, mostly for the practical effects and the over-the-top acting? Absolutely. Would I recommend it to someone who's easily squeamish? Probably not. But if you appreciate practical effects and questionable fashion choices, give it a watch!