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Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy

  • 1996
  • R
  • 1h 29m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
9.7K
YOUR RATING
Dave Foley, Bruce McCulloch, Kevin McDonald, Mark McKinney, and Scott Thompson in Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy (1996)
Theatrical Trailer from Paramount
Play trailer2:12
1 Video
26 Photos
Dark ComedySatireComedy

A pharmaceutical scientist creates a pill that makes people remember their happiest memory, and although it's successful, it has unfortunate side effects.A pharmaceutical scientist creates a pill that makes people remember their happiest memory, and although it's successful, it has unfortunate side effects.A pharmaceutical scientist creates a pill that makes people remember their happiest memory, and although it's successful, it has unfortunate side effects.

  • Director
    • Kelly Makin
  • Writers
    • Norm Hiscock
    • Bruce McCulloch
    • Kevin McDonald
  • Stars
    • Dave Foley
    • Bruce McCulloch
    • Kevin McDonald
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    9.7K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Kelly Makin
    • Writers
      • Norm Hiscock
      • Bruce McCulloch
      • Kevin McDonald
    • Stars
      • Dave Foley
      • Bruce McCulloch
      • Kevin McDonald
    • 69User reviews
    • 30Critic reviews
    • 55Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 5 nominations total

    Videos1

    Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy
    Trailer 2:12
    Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy

    Photos26

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    + 19
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    Top cast48

    Edit
    Dave Foley
    Dave Foley
    • Marv…
    Bruce McCulloch
    Bruce McCulloch
    • Alice…
    Kevin McDonald
    Kevin McDonald
    • Chris…
    Mark McKinney
    Mark McKinney
    • Simon…
    Scott Thompson
    Scott Thompson
    • Baxter…
    Kathryn Greenwood
    Kathryn Greenwood
    • Ginny
    Amy Smith
    • Raymond's Kid
    Lachlan Murdoch
    Lachlan Murdoch
    • Raymond's Kid
    Nicole de Boer
    Nicole de Boer
    • Groupie
    Krista Bridges
    Krista Bridges
    • Groupie
    Christopher Redman
    Christopher Redman
    • Wally's Son
    Erica Fairfield
    • Wally's Daughter
    • (as Erica Lancaster)
    Jackie Harris Greenberg
    Jackie Harris Greenberg
    • Natalie
    • (as Jackie Harris)
    Jonathan Wilson
    Jonathan Wilson
    • Panicky Assistant
    Tony Ning
    • Mai Tai Waiter
    Jason Barr
    Jason Barr
    • Young Chris
    Jack Jessop
    • Old Man in Audience
    Sharon Dyer
    • Woman in Audience
    • Director
      • Kelly Makin
    • Writers
      • Norm Hiscock
      • Bruce McCulloch
      • Kevin McDonald
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews69

    6.99.7K
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    Featured reviews

    missfoley

    It's Too Bad.

    As a huge fan of the Kids, I was awaiting with much anticipation their first feature film. Unfortunately, it might also turn out to be their last one as well. Brain Candy has a strong idea for the plot line, but it doesn't seem like they knew how to carry it out for two hours. I was disappointed with the film because I think that they probably could have made something much smarter and funnier if they had had the right ideas and the right people letting them do. Dave Foley is practically non-existent in the movie, which was a downside for me. There are some funny moments, but watching an episode of 'Kids in the Hall' will indubitably make you laugh more. I hope however, that someday they get back together and perform again because this comedy troupe is like no other. See the movie if you are a KiTH fan, there are some good moments. If you are not a KiTH fan, don't judge the guys on this movie. Believe me, there usually a lot worse. In a good way.
    Gareth_Hacking

    Unexpected delight

    Having only ever seen one episode of 'Kids in the Hall' in my life and having only a vague idea about the group (Canadian Monty Python being the easy comparison), I think it's fair to say that I came the film as somewhat ignorant when it came to all things 'Kids'.

    I have to say that I was able to enjoy the film for what it was, rather than have any expectations of what it could be. What interested me most of all was it's darkness, something a lot closer to League of Gentlemen territory rather than Monty Python.

    On an alternate note does anyone else notice a similarity between Don Roritor and Doctor Evil?
    dan-809

    Brilliantly funny

    Certainly one of the few excellent films that I have seen David Foley in. I saw this, quite by chance, on television and I was amazed that I had not even heard of a film this good. It is several years since I saw it, and 8 since it was made, but this is truly worth seeing.

    The plot is fairly run-of-the-mill comedic insanity, but the characters are what truly makes this so fun. The writing is very very good and I think complaints of bad language are bizarre in the context of this movie, because if you don't like the language how are you going to enjoy the sentiment...One character's key fantasy is being "sent in" to bugger enemy soldiers on maneouvres.

    My favourite scene is the brainstorming session with the Ultra-Cool A**hole Advertising Executive who comes up with their slogan.
    7gavin6942

    Very Enjoyable, Quotable Cult Classic

    A group of researchers for a pharmaceutical company release Gleemonex, a drug that brings people's happiest memory to the surface and cures depression. All is right in the world, at least until the drug is discovered to have some side effects down the road.

    The Kids in the Hall had a great show, and it's no surprise they were able to make a great movie. With a very limited cast, they play dozens of parts and keep the humor rolling from the very beginning. If there's a group that is the spiritual successor to Monty Python, it is probably KITH.

    Some of the best jokes are just throw-aways: a cop that dreams about sex with toast, a therapist who doesn't speak German, and a scientist who develops a drug that gives ex-girlfriends worms. One of the running jokes throughout the film is a man who is obviously gay but is unable to admit it. He is consistently funny, even after he comes out in the middle of a musical scene.

    Some people allegedly thought that including Cancer Boy was insensitive and not funny in the slightest. I disagree. If it's okay to make fun of depression and homosexuals, I think cancer should be perfectly acceptable. I may not be easily offended, but I think this was fine.

    A couple other things made this film great: a great soundtrack with bands like They Might Be Giants and The Odds. One of the earliest film appearances of Selma Blair. Seriously, the only way you would not find this funny is if you had a stick up your butt or you were a flipper baby.
    8rphguy

    Hilarious Even WIthout Knowing The Show

    The TV show was funny as hell, although it was sometimes hit-and-miss ; but what sketch show isn't. This movie contains a well planned plot executed by a diverse but motley crew of characters. It makes you think that the BBC show League of Gentlemen isn't as original as you thought it was! Also, the impersonation of Lorne Michaels is spot-on, and makes you think the Dr Evil character from Austin Powers isn't as original as you thought either (as they are both spoofing Mr Michaels - who produced both SNL for Myers and Kids in the Hall).

    Great fun... and try not to laugh out loud at the 'cancer boy' character.

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    Related interests

    Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Sian Clifford in Fleabag (2016)
    Dark Comedy
    Peter Sellers in Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
    Satire
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The Cancer Boy character was a rather contentious part of the movie. A Paramount executive, who had a loved one suffering from cancer, was so offended by Cancer Boy when a rough cut was shown they demanded the character be removed from the film, but the Kids adamantly refused. The executive would get revenge by making sure the film had a limited theatrical release with little advertisements. Looking back, the Kids would admit that Cancer Boy ended up killing the film's chances financially, with Dave Foley and Kevin McDonald feeling they should have just relented and cut the scene so the movie would have gotten a wider release while Scott Thompson, Bruce McCulloch and Mark McKinney do not regret it artistically, feeling that Cancer Boy is a biting satire of celebrities who exploit sick children for publicity.
    • Goofs
      When the psychiatrist writes a prescription for Gleemonex for the repressed gay character, we see a large microphone hanging from the patient's neck during an over-the-shoulder shot as he's sitting up on the couch.
    • Quotes

      Raymond Hurdicure: Sorry we're a few hours late, there, Ma, but you know how the kids... uh... hate old people.

    • Crazy credits
      After the credits, Mother Hurdicure is distressed over her grandson flying away with the balloons she gave him, and is queried by the boy's mother as to his whereabouts.
    • Alternate versions
      The Kids in the Hall originally filmed a different ending to the film where Dr. Chris Cooper (played by 'Kevin McDonald') fell into a coma and dreamed the ending. Apparently this included "an elaborate parade, complete with Coma Queens, candy-coloured floats, and a grinning mob", but unfortunately it scored poorly with test audiences. Paramount and the Kids re-evaluated the ending and agreed it lacked dramatic-weight and was "too scattered". They re-shot the ending in January.
    • Connections
      Featured in Late Night with Conan O'Brien: Scott Thompson/Lee Roy Parnell (1996)
    • Soundtracks
      Some Days It's Dark
      by Craig Northey, Steven Drake & Bruce McCulloch

      performed by Death Lurks

      Death Lurks is Bruce McCulloch & Odds

      produced by Nigel the Cat

      Bruce McCulloch performs courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.

      Odds perform courtesy of Warner Music Canada Ltd.

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    FAQ19

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 19, 1996 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Canada
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Brain Candy
    • Filming locations
      • Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Paramount Pictures
      • Lakeshore Entertainment
      • Broadway Video
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $2,654,308
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $770,280
      • Apr 14, 1996
    • Gross worldwide
      • $2,654,308
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 29m(89 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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