Reviews
Scanners (1981) IMDb
David Cronenberg (writer-director).
237 people are “scanners” with psychic powers. One is sent to kill others.
Iconic schlock because it actually features heads that seem to explode spontaneously; one clip in particular has been used by comedy outlets like The Daily Show (1996) as shorthand for traumatic incongruence. Disturbingly obtuse casting for the role of Je-, uh, the hero. Apocalyptic mood does not materialize.