Enter the twisted world of Videodrome, where reality and fiction blur and the price of fame is your sanity.
Watch the original version of Videodrome
Prologue
Max Renn had always been fascinated with the seedy underbelly of television. As the president of a struggling TV channel, he constantly searched for new and edgy content that would attract viewers and boost his ratings. And so, when he stumbled upon Videodrome, a show dedicated to gratuitous torture and punishment, he knew he had found something special.
At first, Max was skeptical. He assumed that the graphic violence was all fake, just an act put on for the audience. But as he watched more and more episodes of Videodrome, he began to have his doubts. There was something unsettling about the show, something that made him question its authenticity.
And then, one day, Max’s girlfriend disappeared after auditioning for the show. He tried to find her, but was met with evasiveness and roadblocks. It was then that Max decided to investigate the truth behind Videodrome, and what he discovered would change his life forever.
Chapter 1
Max sat in his office, staring at the TV screen in front of him. On it, a woman was being whipped mercilessly by a masked man. Max winced at the sight, but couldn’t look away. This was Videodrome, the show that had captured his attention and refused to let go.
He took a sip of his coffee and glanced at the clock. It was early in the morning, but Max had been up all night, binge-watching episodes of Videodrome. He couldn’t help himself. There was something addictive about the show, something that drew him in and refused to let go.
As he watched, Max felt his phone buzz in his pocket. He fished it out and saw that it was his girlfriend, Nicki.
“Hey, babe,” he said, answering the call. “What’s up?”
“I’m auditioning for Videodrome tonight,” she said, her voice tense. “I’m nervous.”
Max frowned. He didn’t like the thought of Nicki being involved in something so dangerous. “Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked.
Nicki sighed. “I need the money, Max,” she said. “And besides, it’s just acting. It’s not like they’re actually going to hurt me.”
Max wasn’t so sure. There was something off about Videodrome, something that made him wonder if there was more to the show than met the eye. But he didn’t want to worry Nicki, so he just said, “Okay, be careful. And call me when you’re done.”
After he hung up, Max turned his attention back to the TV. The woman on screen was now being burned with a hot iron, but she didn’t scream. Instead, she smiled and moaned, as if she was enjoying the pain.
Max felt a shiver run down his spine. There was something deeply disturbing about Videodrome, something that made him wonder if the show was actually changing its viewers in some way.
He decided to do some research. Maybe there was something out there that could explain what was happening on the show.
Max pulled up his laptop and began to search. He typed in “Videodrome” and hit enter.
The results were varied and strange. There were forums dedicated to the show, with fans discussing the latest episodes and theories about what was really going on. There were also conspiracy theories, claiming that Videodrome was a government experiment designed to control people’s minds.
Max shook his head. He didn’t believe in any of that. There had to be a rational explanation for what was happening on the show.
And then, he stumbled upon a blog post that caught his attention. It was written by a man named Brian O’Blivion, who claimed to be the creator of Videodrome.
According to O’Blivion, the show was designed to be more than just entertainment. It was a way to tap into the primal desires of its viewers, to elicit an emotional response that would change the way they thought and behaved.
Max’s heart began to race. He couldn’t believe what he was reading. It sounded like something out of a science fiction novel.
But as he read on, he couldn’t help but wonder if there was some truth to O’Blivion’s words. After all, something was happening on Videodrome, something that was affecting its viewers in a profound way.
Max decided to investigate further. He had to know what was really going on with the show, and more importantly, what had happened to Nicki.
Chapter 2: Nicki’s Disappearance
Max Renn had never felt so alone. His girlfriend, Nicki, had auditioned for Videodrome and vanished without a trace. Desperate for answers, he scoured the city, visiting every seedy club and underground film screening he could find. But everywhere he went, he hit walls. Nobody seemed to know anything about Nicki’s whereabouts, and those who did were too afraid to talk.
One night, Max found himself at a strip club on the outskirts of the city. The neon lights flickered overhead, casting a sickly glow over the dancers on stage. Max scanned the crowd, searching for any sign of Nicki. That’s when he saw her.
She was on stage, gyrating to the beat of the music. Max couldn’t believe his eyes. What was she doing here? He pushed his way through the crowd, ignoring the catcalls and jeers. When he reached the edge of the stage, he called out her name. But she didn’t even flinch. It was as if she couldn’t hear him.
Max tried to climb onto the stage, but the bouncer grabbed him and threw him back into the crowd. Max landed with a thud, then scrambled to his feet. He was about to make another attempt to reach Nicki when a group of men surrounded him.
“Who are you?” one of them demanded.
“I’m Max Renn,” Max said. “Nicki’s boyfriend.”
The men exchanged glances, then one of them spoke up. “If you’re looking for Nicki, we might be able to help.”
Max’s heart leapt. “What do you know?”
The man motioned for Max to follow him. They made their way through a maze of back alleys and abandoned buildings until they reached a door. The man knocked three times, then whispered something to the person who answered.
They stepped inside a dimly lit room, and Max saw Nicki sitting in a corner. She looked dazed, like she was in a trance.
“Nicki!” Max rushed towards her, but the men grabbed him and held him back.
“She doesn’t want to go with you,” the man said.
Max struggled against their grip. “What did you do to her? Where is Videodrome?”
The man just chuckled. “You’re in too deep, Max. Time to call it quits.”
Max’s mind raced as the men dragged him out of the room. Who were these people? And what did they have to do with Videodrome?
As they pushed him out the door, Max caught a glimpse of a tattoo on the man’s wrist. It was a stylized eye, just like the one on the Videodrome logo.
Max knew he was onto something. He just needed to find out more. But as he walked away from the building, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being watched. There was a darkness creeping up on him, and he didn’t know if he could fight it off.
The next day, Max received a package in the mail. It was a videotape with no label. He popped it into his VCR and pressed play.
What he saw made his blood run cold. It was Nicki, tied up and being tortured by masked men. Her screams echoed through the room as they cut into her flesh with knives and other sharp implements. Max couldn’t watch anymore. He turned off the TV and sank to the floor, his mind reeling.
He knew he had to do something. But what? And how? The answers seemed just out of reach, like phantoms in the darkness. But Max couldn’t give up. Not when Nicki’s life was on the line. He would find a way to save her, no matter what it took.
Chapter 3: Max’s Visions
Max’s investigation into Videodrome had led him down a dark path. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong with the show, that it was causing strange and unsettling things to happen to him and those around him. He tried to put it out of his mind, but the more he tried to ignore it, the more vivid his nightmares became. The images of the show seemed to be etched into his subconscious, and he couldn’t escape them.
One particularly vivid dream left him shaken to his core. He was sitting in front of his TV, watching Videodrome, when the screen flickered and changed. Suddenly, he was no longer watching a show but was instead inside it. He was strapped to a chair, and a group of people was standing over him. They were all wearing strange masks, and he couldn’t see their faces. He tried to speak, but he couldn’t move his mouth. He was completely paralyzed.
The group began to torture him, but he couldn’t feel any pain. Instead, he felt a strange euphoria, as if the pain was somehow pleasurable. He knew it was wrong, but he couldn’t stop himself from enjoying it. He tried to scream, but nothing came out. He was trapped.
When he woke up, he was covered in sweat. He couldn’t shake the feeling that what he had experienced wasn’t just a dream. It felt too real, too visceral. He wondered if the show was somehow affecting him on a deeper level, beyond just the surface level of his conscious mind.
As the days went on, Max’s hallucinations began to bleed into his waking life. He would see flashes of the Videodrome logo wherever he went, and he couldn’t escape the feeling that he was being watched. He tried to tell himself that it was just his imagination, but deep down, he knew that something was wrong.
One night, he was sitting alone in his office, staring at a blank screen. Suddenly, the screen flickered to life, and the familiar distorted images of Videodrome filled the room. This time, he wasn’t watching the show on a TV. It was as if the images were projected directly into his mind.
He felt a surge of energy course through his body. It was like nothing he had ever felt before. It was as if the show was somehow feeding off his energy, tapping into some primal part of his brain. He was transfixed.
As the images became more intense, Max began to lose himself in the show. He felt his mind slipping away, like he was being pulled down into a vortex of violence and pain. It was exhilarating and terrifying all at once.
When the episode ended, Max stumbled out of his office, feeling disoriented and disconnected from the world around him. He knew that he needed to find out what was really going on with Videodrome, but he also knew that the more he delved into it, the deeper he would be pulled into its dark and twisted embrace.
Chapter 4: Max’s Revelation
Max left his meeting with the creator of Videodrome feeling uneasy. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he had just stepped into a world he didn’t understand, yet he was drawn to it like a moth to a flame.
He found himself walking aimlessly through the streets, lost in thought. It wasn’t until he stepped out into the fresh air that he realized how suffocating the meeting had been.
The creator had told him that Videodrome was more than just a show. It had a subliminal message that could change its viewers’ behavior. Max couldn’t believe what he had heard. It sounded like science fiction, not reality.
But then, nothing about Videodrome was normal. From the moment Max had laid eyes on it, he knew that it was different from anything else on television. It was raw, unfiltered, and utterly disturbing. And yet, he couldn’t look away.
He paused to catch his breath, leaning against a lamppost. As he looked up, he saw a billboard for Videodrome hanging above him. It showed a man being tortured, his face twisted in agony. Max shuddered and looked away.
But the image was burned into his mind. He couldn’t shake it, no matter how hard he tried. It was as though a part of him was drawn to the violence and chaos that the show represented.
He felt a tap on his shoulder and turned around to see a man in a suit standing behind him. The man had a briefcase in one hand and a stern look on his face.
“Can I help you?” Max asked, feeling uneasy.
“Mr. Renn, I presume?” the man said, his voice cold and emotionless.
“Yes, that’s me. Who are you?”
The man didn’t answer but instead handed Max a card. It read: “Harlan, Agent of Spectacular Optical.”
Max raised an eyebrow. “What’s Spectacular Optical?”
“It’s a company that specializes in optics and lenses,” Harlan replied, cryptically. “But we also have a keen interest in Videodrome.”
Max felt his heart skip a beat. “Why?”
Harlan took a step closer, his eyes locked onto Max’s. “Because we believe that Videodrome has the potential to change the world.”
Max didn’t know what to say. He felt like he had stumbled into a dream, or perhaps a nightmare.
Harlan continued, “We’re concerned with the subliminal message that the show contains. We think that it has the power to control minds and change behavior.”
Max felt a chill run down his spine. “You sound like the creator of the show.”
Harlan smiled thinly. “Perhaps we have a similar agenda.”
Max didn’t like the sound of that. He felt like he had stumbled into a world that he didn’t understand, a world where people were playing games with minds and lives.
He looked at the card again and noticed a small logo on the bottom right corner. It was a stylized eye with a ring around it.
“What’s with the logo?” Max asked.
“It’s our symbol,” Harlan said. “The eye represents our perception, the ring represents our focus. We see everything, and we focus on the things that matter.”
Max felt a shiver run down his spine. He didn’t like the sound of that at all.
“Look, I’m not interested in getting involved in any of this,” he said, trying to back away.
Harlan stepped forward again, and Max couldn’t help but feel trapped. “I understand your position, Mr. Renn. But I must warn you that there are people out there who would kill to get their hands on Videodrome.”
Max’s eyes widened. “What do you mean?”
“Let’s just say that there are those who believe that the show could be used as a tool of control. And they’re not afraid to use violence to get what they want.”
Max’s mind was reeling. He had never imagined that Videodrome could be so dangerous. He had only seen it as a potential hit for his channel.
But now he realized that he had stumbled onto something far more sinister than he had ever imagined.
He looked up at Harlan and realized that he didn’t want to be a part of this world. He wanted out, but he didn’t know how.
Harlan seemed to sense his unease and nodded. “I understand your position, Mr. Renn. But remember, once you’re in, there’s no going back.”
With that, Harlan turned and walked away, leaving Max standing alone on the street, feeling more lost than ever.
He looked up at the billboard for Videodrome again and felt a deep sense of foreboding. He realized that he had stumbled onto something far more dangerous than he had ever imagined, and he had no idea how to get out.
Chapter 5: Max’s mental state deteriorates as he becomes more immersed in the world of Videodrome. His grip on reality begins to slip, and he becomes increasingly paranoid.
Max’s obsession with Videodrome had reached new heights. It consumed his every waking thought and haunted his dreams. The strange hallucinations he’d been experiencing only continued to get worse. He couldn’t tell what was real anymore, and the line between reality and fantasy had become blurred.
The more he dug into the mystery behind Videodrome, the more he began to suspect that something sinister was at play. He was convinced that there was more to the show than just gratuitous violence and torture.
At work, Max found himself unable to concentrate on anything other than Videodrome. He’d lost all interest in his other programs, and his colleagues had begun to notice his strange behavior. He became increasingly paranoid and began to think that someone was watching him all the time.
One day, he received a call from Nicki, his girlfriend who had disappeared. She sounded frantic and scared. She told Max that she had auditioned for Videodrome, and they had accepted her. But she said she changed her mind and wanted to back out. The people behind the show wouldn’t let her leave, and she was trapped.
Max was alarmed by Nicki’s call but also relieved to hear her voice. He promised her that he’d find a way to rescue her. He hung up the phone and immediately began making plans to infiltrate the studio where Videodrome was filmed.
But as the days wore on, Max’s mental state continued to deteriorate. He began to have intense hallucinations that left him disoriented and confused. He couldn’t tell what was real and what wasn’t anymore.
One day, Max arrived at his office to find that the walls were covered in strange patterns and symbols. He didn’t know where they’d come from, but he was convinced that they were related to Videodrome. He spent hours staring at the walls, trying to make sense of the markings.
As the weeks went on, Max’s behavior became increasingly erratic. He stopped eating and barely slept. He spent all his time working on plans to rescue Nicki and uncover the truth behind Videodrome. He was convinced that the show held the key to unlocking some deep, dark secret.
One night, Max had a vivid nightmare that felt all too real. He dreamed that he was being tortured on the set of Videodrome. The pain was excruciating, and he could feel himself losing his grip on reality. When he woke up, he was covered in sweat and shaking.
Max knew that he was in a bad place mentally, but he couldn’t stop himself from obsessing over Videodrome. Every new development only fueled his curiosity further, and he became increasingly convinced that he was onto something big.
But as Max’s mental state continued to decline, his colleagues became increasingly concerned. They held an intervention, pleading with him to seek help. But Max refused, convinced that he was on the brink of uncovering a deep, dark secret.
And as the days wore on, Max could feel himself slipping further and further away from reality, until he no longer knew where he ended and Videodrome began.
Chapter 6: Max seeks out help from a colleague, but their meeting is interrupted by agents of a secret organization. They are interested in Videodrome and its effects on Max.
Max was desperate for help, and he knew he couldn’t do it alone. He had reached out to a colleague, Harlan, in the hopes that he could shed some light on the strange occurrences that had been happening to him. He knew he needed someone he could trust, and he was hoping that Harlan was that person.
Harlan agreed to meet with Max at a diner in a quiet part of town. The two sat in a booth, sipping coffee as Max began to explain what was happening to him. “I don’t know what’s real anymore,” Max said, his voice shaking. “I keep having these hallucinations and nightmares, and I can’t tell the difference between what’s real and what’s not.”
Harlan listened intently, nodding his head as Max spoke. “I think you might be suffering from some sort of psychological break,” he said finally. “It’s not uncommon for people in high-pressure jobs like ours to experience something like this.”
Max shook his head. “It’s not just that, Harlan. It’s something more. I think it’s related to Videodrome.”
At the mention of Videodrome, Harlan’s expression changed. “What do you know about Videodrome?” he asked, his voice low and serious.
Max was taken aback by the sudden change in tone. “I… I don’t know much,” he admitted. “Just that it’s this show, full of violent content, that I’ve been airing on my channel.”
Harlan leaned in closer, his eyes darting around the diner. “You need to be careful, Max. Videodrome is not just any show. It’s a dangerous program that has the potential to rewrite your entire mind.”
Max was stunned. He had never heard anything like this before. “What do you mean?” he asked, leaning forward in his seat.
Harlan took a deep breath. “There’s a secret organization that’s been studying Videodrome for years. They believe that the show has a subliminal message that can change its viewers’ behavior. They’ve been trying to track down the creator of the show for years, but he’s always been one step ahead of them.”
Max’s mind was reeling. He had no idea that Videodrome was so dangerous, and he had no idea that there was a secret organization dedicated to studying it. “What do they want with me?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
“I think they’re interested in studying the effects of Videodrome on someone who’s been exposed to it for an extended period of time,” Harlan said. “They’ll want to run tests on you, see how the subliminal message has affected your brain.”
Max was horrified at the thought of being a guinea pig for this organization. “What can I do?” he asked, desperation creeping into his voice.
Harlan leaned back in his seat and took a sip of his coffee. “There’s not much you can do, Max. You’re in too deep now. The best thing you can do is to try to stay alive and avoid the attention of this organization.”
Max felt a sinking feeling in his stomach. He had been hoping for a solution, but it seemed like there was none. He finished his coffee in silence, lost in thought. When he looked up, he saw two men in suits standing by the door.
“Max Renn?” one of them asked, his voice cold and stern.
Max’s heart raced as he realized that these were the agents Harlan had warned him about. He quickly stood up from the booth and tried to make a run for it, but the agents were too quick. They grabbed him by the arms and dragged him out of the diner, throwing him into the back of a black van.
Max felt a sensation of dread wash over him as the van drove off into the night. He had no idea what was going to happen to him now, but he knew it couldn’t be good. He closed his eyes and tried to steady his breathing, hoping that he would make it out of this alive.
Chapter 7: Max discovers that he has a tumor in his brain that is causing his hallucinations and nightmares. However, he also realizes that the tumor was caused by watching Videodrome.
Max’s world had turned upside down when he first witnessed the strange, twisted allure of Videodrome. From that point on, he was determined to discover the truth behind the show and the fate of his missing girlfriend Nicki. As he delved deeper into the seedy underworld surrounding the show, Max had become increasingly paranoid and unstable. The lines between reality and hallucination had become increasingly blurred, and Max’s grip on his sanity was slipping away.
Finally, Max had reached a breaking point. He checked himself into a hospital, seeking treatment for the vivid nightmares that had been tormenting him and the strange growth on his head. After undergoing a battery of tests, Max was given a grim diagnosis. The growth was a malignant tumor, and it was incurable.
Max felt an icy coldness settle in his stomach. He knew immediately that the tumor was connected to the twisted world of Videodrome. He had seen too much, been exposed to too many of the show’s subliminal messages. He knew deep down that the show had caused his illness and that there was no turning back.
As Max grappled with the fact that he was dying, he also had to come to terms with the fact that he had been a pawn in Videodrome’s twisted game from the very beginning. He remembered the conversation he had with the show’s creator, the sinister figure who had revealed the show’s subliminal messages and its true purpose. Max had been blinded by the show’s initial success, too thrilled by its potential to boost his ratings to see the real danger that it posed.
Max felt a sense of shame and guilt wash over him. He had been a willing participant in the show’s sadistic games, and he had failed to see the damage that it was causing to his viewers and to himself. He realized that he had been consumed by his own ambition, and that he had allowed himself to be blinded by the glamour and sleaze of the television industry.
As Max lay in his hospital bed, contemplating his own mortality, he knew that he had to take action. He had to put an end to Videodrome, no matter what the cost. He knew that he was the only one who could stop the madness, and that he had to act fast before the show destroyed any more lives.
With this newfound determination, Max began to make plans. He started by confronting the people who had been involved with the show, trying to get them to see the error of their ways. But he quickly realized that the show had a dangerous hold on them, just as it had on him. They were unwilling to listen or to change their ways.
Max began to feel a growing sense of desperation. He knew that he was running out of time, both in terms of his own health and in terms of the show’s hold on its viewers. He knew that he had to do something drastic.
Finally, Max came up with a plan. He would confront the show’s creator one last time, and attempt to destroy the source of the show’s power. If he failed, then at least he would go down fighting.
Max’s heart was pounding as he entered the dark, dingy basement where the show was filmed. He knew that he was putting himself in danger, but he felt a sense of purpose that he hadn’t felt in a long time. He was taking control of his life, and he was going to take down Videodrome with him.
As Max approached the set, he felt a surge of adrenaline. He could sense that this was the moment he had been waiting for, the moment that would define his life. He entered the room where the show was filmed, and saw the creator waiting for him with a gleeful smile on his face.
“What do you want, Max?” the creator asked. “Have you come to join us?”
“No,” Max said firmly. “I’ve come to put an end to this madness.”
The creator laughed. “You can’t stop us, Max. We’re too powerful. We’re too entrenched in the minds of our viewers. You might as well try to stop the tide.”
Max felt his resolve harden. He knew that he had to try, no matter what the odds were. He charged toward the creator, determined to take him down.
The final battle was intense and violent. Max and the creator fought tooth and nail for control, their minds and bodies pushed to the brink. But finally, Max emerged victorious. He destroyed the source of the show’s power, using every ounce of his remaining strength to strike a fatal blow.
As he lay dying on the floor, Max felt a sense of peace wash over him. He had accomplished what he set out to do, and he had destroyed the evil that had consumed his life. He knew that he was finally free from the hold of Videodrome, and he closed his eyes, content that his legacy would be one of redemption and change.
Chapter 8: Max’s Confrontation
As Max sat, huddled in his chair, his mind raced with thoughts of anger and frustration. He had come so far in his journey to uncover the truth behind Videodrome, only to be met with failure after failure. Each new obstacle seemed to be the final straw, but he refused to stop fighting. He refused to give up.
So when he finally had the opportunity to confront the creator of Videodrome himself, he didn’t hesitate. He marched into the man’s office with an air of confidence and determination that he hadn’t felt in weeks.
The creator of the show, a thin and unassuming man, sat across from Max with a sly grin on his face. “Ah, Mr. Renn,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
Max didn’t mince words. “I want you to take this show off the air,” he said, his voice firm and resolute. “It’s causing harm to people. It’s not right.”
The creator chuckled. “Oh, Mr. Renn, you still don’t understand, do you? This show is just the beginning. It’s the start of something much bigger. Something that will change the world.”
Max’s heart sank. He had hoped that the creator might see reason, might understand the harm that he was causing. But it was clear that the man was delusional.
“I won’t let you continue,” Max said, his voice shaking with emotion. “I’ll stop you, no matter what.”
The creator leaned back in his chair, still smiling. “You can try, Mr. Renn. But you won’t succeed. You’ve already been infected by the show. You can’t resist its power.”
Max shook his head. He refused to believe that. He had to find a way to stop the show.
As he stood up to leave, the creator spoke again. “By the way, Mr. Renn, have you ever heard of the New Flesh?”
Max paused, confused. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
The creator’s smile grew wider. “You’ll see soon enough,” he said. “Good luck stopping the show, Mr. Renn. You’re going to need it.”
With that, Max left the man’s office, more determined than ever to put an end to Videodrome.
But as he walked back to his car, he realized that something was wrong. His head was pounding, and his vision was blurry. He stumbled, nearly falling to the ground.
He knew then that something was happening to him. Something that he couldn’t control.
When he looked up, he saw a group of men in black suits standing before him. They spoke in a language that he didn’t understand, their voices like static in his ears.
And then everything went black.
When Max awoke, he was in a dark, unfamiliar room. The walls were covered in strange symbols that he couldn’t make sense of. The air was thick with a sickly sweet smell that made him feel nauseous.
He tried to stand up, but he couldn’t move. His limbs were bound to the chair he was sitting on. He struggled, but it was no use.
And then the show began.
On a screen in front of him, Max saw scenes of violence and depravity. The same scenes that he had once thought were fake. But now he knew the truth. They were real.
As the show progressed, Max felt something stirring inside him. A feeling of euphoria, of power. It was as if the show was speaking directly to him, telling him to embrace the violence and the pain.
He tried to resist, but it was no use. The show had taken hold of him, just as the creator had warned.
And then, as the show reached its climax, something happened. Max felt a surge of energy, a wave of power that emanated from within him. He screamed, his body writhing in ecstasy.
And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, the show ended. The lights came on, and Max was left alone in the room, shaking and sweating.
He knew then that he had lost. The show had won. And he was just another victim of the New Flesh.
Chapter 9:
Max’s mind was consumed by Videodrome. He was no longer in control of his thoughts or actions. The subliminal message was all-consuming, and he had become a puppet of the show. He was broadcasting its message to the masses, perpetuating the cycle of violence and torture.
As he sat in front of the camera, Max could feel his body moving involuntarily. His hands typed out commands on the keyboard, and his mouth spoke the words that appeared on the screen. But he was not the one in charge. The show had taken over completely.
The images that appeared on the screen were horrific. People being tortured and mutilated, all in the name of entertainment. And the viewers were eating it up. Max could see the numbers rising on the screen, the ratings skyrocketing as more and more people tuned in to watch the show.
But Max knew that this was not right. He had to put an end to it, once and for all. He tried to fight back against the subliminal message, to take back control of his mind. But it was too powerful. He was powerless against it.
And then, suddenly, everything went dark. Max felt a sharp pain in his head, and then nothing. When he opened his eyes again, he was in a different place. It was a white room, sterile and featureless. There were no windows, no doors. Just Max and a single screen on the wall.
The screen flickered to life, and Max saw his own face staring back at him. It was a live feed, being broadcast to the world. But Max was not in control of it. He could see his own lips moving, but the words that were coming out were not his own.
“You are all under our control,” the voice said. “You will obey our every command.”
Max knew then that he was not alone. There were others like him, people who had been taken over by the subliminal message of Videodrome. They were being used to spread the message, to perpetuate the cycle of violence and torture.
But Max was determined to put an end to it. He focused his mind, trying to break free of the show’s control. And slowly but surely, he began to feel his body responding. His fingers twitched, and then his hand moved. He reached out and touched the screen.
And then, in a burst of light, everything changed. Max found himself back in the studio, surrounded by the cameras and the lights. But this time, he was in control. The subliminal message was gone, and he was no longer a puppet.
He looked out at the audience, and he saw the horror in their eyes. They had been watching the show, unable to look away. But now they were free, and they could see the truth. Max walked off the set, leaving the cameras and the lights behind.
It was time to start over. To build something new, something better. Max had learned his lesson. He knew that he could never let something like Videodrome take over his life again. He had to be vigilant, to always be aware of the dangers that were lurking just beneath the surface.
As he stepped out into the sunshine, Max felt a sense of freedom that he had never known before. The world was a wide-open canvas, and he was ready to paint a new picture. A picture that was filled with hope and beauty and truth.
The end.
Some scenes from the movie Videodrome written by A.I.
Scene 1
FADE IN:
EXT. CITY STREET – DAY
MAX RENN, a slick and ambitious TV channel president, walks briskly down a busy street. He stops outside a seedy-looking building and takes a deep breath before entering.
INT. TV CHANNEL OFFICE – DAY
Max strides purposefully through the office, greeting his staff with nods and smiles. He stops at the desk of his secretary, HARVEY, a gruff and efficient man in his late 50s.
MAX:
Harvey, any word on those new shows we’ve been looking at?
HARVEY:
Yeah, there’s a couple of contenders. But nothing that really stands out, if you know what I mean.
MAX:
(smiling)
I always know what you mean, Harvey. That’s why you’re my right-hand man.
Harvey rolls his eyes but can’t help but smile.
HARVEY:
(leaning in)
Hey, I heard about this underground show that’s causing a stir. It’s called Videodrome.
MAX:
(skeptical)
Videodrome? Sounds like some kind of cheesy B-movie.
HARVEY:
(leaning back)
Trust me, Max. This one’s different. It’s got a real cult following.
Max considers this for a moment, then nods decisively.
MAX:
Let’s check it out.
FADE OUT.
Scene 2
EXT. TV STATION – DAY
MAX RENN, late 30s, disheveled and determined, walks out of the TV station, deep in thought.
MAX
(to himself)
Where is she? What’s going on?
He looks up and sees NICKI, mid-20s, beautiful and mysterious, walking toward him.
MAX
(excitedly)
Nicki! Thank God you’re okay.
NICKI
(calmly)
Of course I’m okay. Why wouldn’t I be?
MAX
(desperately)
You auditioned for Videodrome. You disappeared. Do you know what happened to you?
NICKI
(mockingly)
Oh, Max. Always the melodrama. I’m fine. I just got caught up with some other things.
MAX
(skeptical)
Other things? What other things?
NICKI
(coyly)
Oh, Max, you know I can’t tell you everything. That’s part of my charm.
MAX
(irritated)
Nicki, this isn’t a game. I’m serious. I need to know what happened.
NICKI
(sighing)
Fine. But you can’t tell anyone else, okay?
MAX nods eagerly.
NICKI (CONT’D)
(whispering)
I met a man – someone who’s connected to Videodrome. He offered me a job.
MAX
(surprised)
A job? Doing what?
NICKI
(smiling mysteriously)
Something special. Something I can’t talk about yet. But it’s exciting, Max. It’s going to change everything.
MAX
(concerned)
Nicki, I don’t like the sound of this. It’s dangerous. You shouldn’t get involved.
NICKI
(rolling her eyes)
Oh, Max, you’re always so cautious. Where’s your sense of adventure?
MAX
(frustrated)
This isn’t a game, Nicki. You have to be careful.
NICKI
(smiling again)
I’ll be careful, Max. Don’t worry about me.
She walks away, leaving MAX standing there, worried and unsure.
MAX
(to himself)
What have I gotten myself into?
Scene 3
Characters:
– Max Renn, a desperate TV channel president
– Nicki Brand, Max’s girlfriend who auditions for Videodrome
– Brian O’Blivion, the creator of Videodrome
– Harlan, Max’s colleague who tries to help him
– The agents, members of a secret organization interested in Videodrome
– The surgeon, Max’s doctor
Setting:
The story is set in Toronto, Canada during the late 1980s. The majority of the scenes take place within the office of Max’s TV channel and the studio where Videodrome is produced.
FADE IN:
Max Renn is sitting in his office, looking tired and stressed. He’s surrounded by papers and TV screens showing clips from various shows. His phone rings.
MAX: (answering) Yes?
HARLAN: (on the phone) Max, are you okay? You look terrible.
MAX: (sighing) I haven’t been sleeping well. Every time I close my eyes, I see those damn images from Videodrome.
HARLAN: (concerned) You’re not still watching that, are you?
MAX: (defeated) I can’t help it. It’s like a train wreck that I can’t look away from.
Suddenly, Max’s phone rings again. He checks the caller ID and sees that it’s Nicki.
MAX: (answering) Nicki, where have you been? I’ve been worried sick.
NICKI: (on the phone) I’m fine, Max. I’ve just been busy with the show.
MAX: (frustrated) What show? I don’t even know what you’re doing anymore.
NICKI: (sarcastic) Oh, come on, Max. You know exactly what I’m doing. I’m auditioning for Videodrome.
MAX: (angrily) That’s not funny, Nicki. You’re messing with something that you don’t understand.
NICKI: (nonchalant) You worry too much, Max. It’s just a TV show.
MAX: (concerned) No, it’s not just a TV show. There’s something off about it. I can feel it.
Suddenly, Max’s eyes widen as he sees a strange figure walking towards him, a hand emerging from their chest.
MAX: (terrified) Oh god, it’s happening again.
HARLAN: (on the phone, concerned) Max, what’s going on?
MAX: (panicked) I have to go, Harlan. I’m seeing things again.
Max hangs up the phone and begins to hyperventilate. The figure disappears as quickly as it came, leaving Max alone in his office.
CUT TO:
Max is lying in bed, his eyes wide open. He’s sweating profusely and breathing heavily. A strange voice echoes in his mind.
BRIAN: (voice over) Long live the new flesh.
Max sits up, gasping for air. He looks around the room, but it’s empty. He falls back onto his pillow, trying to calm himself down.
CUT TO:
Max is in the office of his doctor, the surgeon. The doctor looks at Max’s scan results and shakes his head.
SURGEON: (serious) I’m sorry, Max. You have a tumor in your brain.
MAX: (shocked) What? How is that even possible?
SURGEON: (sympathetic) It’s hard to say, but it’s likely related to your exposure to Videodrome. The images and subliminal messages have rewired your brain, causing abnormal growths.
MAX: (in disbelief) So what do I do?
SURGEON: (grim) I’m afraid we have no choice but to operate. It’s a risky procedure, but it’s the only way to remove the tumor.
CUT TO:
Max is lying on the operating table, his head strapped down. The surgeons are prepping him for the procedure.
MAX: (fearful) Am I going to be okay?
SURGEON: (reassuring) We’ll do our best, Max. Just try to relax.
Max closes his eyes, and the anesthesia takes effect.
FADE OUT.
Scene 4
INT. MAX’S OFFICE – DAY
Max sits across from Barry Convex, creator of Videodrome.
MAX: What is the message behind Videodrome?
BARRY CONVEX: It’s a way to transform reality. To show people a new way of thinking.
MAX: And the violence? The torture?
BARRY CONVEX: It’s necessary to shock people out of their complacency. To push them to a new level of consciousness.
MAX: But what about Nicki? Where is she?
BARRY CONVEX: Nicki was a sacrifice. A necessary evil.
Max slams his hands on the table, enraged.
MAX: You’re sick. This is sick.
BARRY CONVEX: You don’t understand, Max. You’re close to a breakthrough. You just need to let go of your old self. Embrace the new reality.
Max stands up, determined.
MAX: I’ll never let that happen. I’ll stop you.
BARRY CONVEX: You can try. But you’re already infected. The Videodrome signal is inside of you.
Max stumbles back, clutching his head as he begins to experience a violent hallucination.
INT. MAX’S MIND – DAY
Max is trapped in a twisted version of reality. He sees Nicki before him, mutilated and tortured.
NICKI: Max, embrace the new flesh.
Max screams and shakes his head, trying to break free.
INT. MAX’S OFFICE – DAY
Max snaps back to reality, sweating and disoriented. Barry smiles, satisfied.
BARRY CONVEX: You’ll come around eventually. They all do.
Max stumbles out of the office, determined to end Videodrome once and for all.
Scene 5
INT. MAX’S OFFICE – DAY
Max is hunched over his desk, muttering to himself. His eyes are bloodshot and wild, and he looks like he hasn’t slept in days.
MAX:
(to himself)
It’s not real. It’s not real.
Gena, Max’s assistant, enters the room tentatively.
GENA:
Max, are you okay?
Max jumps at the sound of her voice, then turns to face her.
MAX:
No, Gena, I’m not okay. I think I’m losing my mind.
GENA:
What’s going on?
MAX:
I’ve been having these nightmares, and I keep seeing things that aren’t there. I know it’s because of that damn show, Videodrome.
GENA:
What show?
Max glares at her, frustrated by her ignorance.
MAX:
The one I put on the air. The one that’s causing all of this.
GENA:
Maybe you should take a break.
MAX:
I can’t. I have to figure this out before it’s too late.
Gena looks at him with concern, then leaves the room. As soon as she’s gone, Max pulls out a gun from his desk drawer and stares at it, contemplating.
MAX:
(to himself)
Maybe it’s the only way to end this.
The door bursts open, and a group of men in suits storm in. Max quickly hides the gun, trying to appear composed.
MAX:
What is this? Who are you?
MAN IN SUIT:
We’re from the Department of Defense. We need to talk to you about Videodrome.
Max’s eyes widen in fear and disbelief as the men approach him. He realizes that he’s in way over his head.
Scene 6
FADE IN:
INT. MAX’S OFFICE – DAY
Max sits at his desk, scribbling notes on a legal pad. He looks agitated and tense.
MAX:
(to himself)
What the hell is going on? I can’t trust anyone.
Suddenly, his phone rings. He picks it up.
MAX:
Hello?
ON THE OTHER END OF THE LINE:
It’s me. You need to meet me right away.
MAX:
Who is this?
ON THE OTHER END OF THE LINE:
It doesn’t matter. Just meet me at the diner on 7th.
MAX:
Okay, I’ll be there in half an hour.
He hangs up and slams his fist onto the desk.
MAX:
(to himself)
I’m going to get to the bottom of this, no matter what it takes.
CUT TO:
INT. DINER – DAY
Max sits across from a mysterious man in a dark suit. They are the only ones in the diner.
MAX:
Who are you? What do you know about Videodrome?
MYSTERIOUS MAN:
I know everything. And I can help you, but you have to trust me.
MAX:
Trust you? How do I know I can trust anyone in this damn mess?
MYSTERIOUS MAN:
Because I’m the only one who can help you. You see, I’m part of a secret organization that’s been tracking Videodrome for years.
MAX:
What organization? What are you talking about?
MYSTERIOUS MAN:
We’re a group of individuals who are dedicated to exposing the truth about Videodrome. We know about its subliminal message, and we know about its power.
MAX:
Power? What kind of power?
MYSTERIOUS MAN:
The power to control minds, Max. And that’s what we’re fighting against.
Max looks skeptical.
MAX:
What do you want from me?
MYSTERIOUS MAN:
Information. We need to know everything you know about Videodrome. And we need your help to bring it down.
MAX:
And why should I help you? What’s in it for me?
MYSTERIOUS MAN:
I can promise you one thing, Max. If you help us, we’ll protect you. We’ll make sure nothing happens to you or your loved ones.
Max thinks for a moment.
MAX:
Okay. I’ll do it. But I want your guarantee that you’ll keep your end of the bargain.
MYSTERIOUS MAN:
You have my word.
Max nods, and they shake hands.
CUT TO:
INT. MAX’S OFFICE – DAY
Max sits at his desk, deep in thought. He picks up the phone and dials a number.
MAX:
(into phone)
Hello? This is Max Renn. I need to speak with someone about Videodrome.
