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3mo ago

David Cronenberg's 'The Shrouds' Explores Grief Through Dark Humor and Body Horror

The director’s deeply personal film draws from his own loss, blending unsettling themes with surprising moments of levity.

A line stretched down the block for the first screening of “The Shrouds” with David Cronenberg in attendance at the Roxie Theater in San Francisco on April 21, 2025.
Hundreds lined up to see the “The Shrouds” at the Roxie Theater in San Francisco on April 21, 2025.
The GraveTech cemetery is seen in a movie still from “The Shrouds.” 
The crowd at the screening of “The Shrouds” at the Roxie Theater in San Francisco on April 21, 2025.

Overview

  • David Cronenberg’s latest film, 'The Shrouds,' delves into grief and mourning, inspired by the death of his wife in 2017.
  • Vincent Cassel stars as Karsh, a businessman who invents technology to connect with his deceased wife, played by Diane Kruger.
  • The film combines Cronenberg’s signature body horror with indie drama elements, exploring themes of loss, surveillance, and ethical dilemmas.
  • 'The Shrouds' has been praised for its candid depiction of mortality, dark humor, and its ability to provoke both laughter and discomfort.
  • Currently playing in U.S. theaters, the R-rated film runs 1 hour and 59 minutes and features strong sexual content, graphic nudity, and violence.