Jeff Goldblum plays Seth Brundle, a socially awkward yet brilliant scientist who has become obsessed with creating a transportation device that will change the world forever. He impresses story hungry journalist Veronica Quaife (played by the naturally beautiful perma-haired Geena Davis) at a researchers convention and the two become lovers as she documents his struggles to not only transport inanimate objects but also humans.
The first attempt at moving a living being is far from successful, as the baboon used gets turned inside out during the teleportation. Undeterred Seth tries again and the second baboon succeeds in being transported unharmed. The two are keen to celebrate but the moment is ruined by Ronnie's editor / ex boyfriend Stathis Borans who goads her into visiting him at their office. Jealous and dejected, Seth strips and goes into his teleport... but he is not alone.
For all of the outstanding make up special effects used during Seth's metamorphosis, above all this is a story about love. From the moment she meets him Ronnie understands that Seth is nervy, shy and reclusive and it is she who will be in charge of the relationship. This changes as Seth, never the jock at school, is given the opportunity to feel powerful, sexually charged and macho. He wants Ronnie to feel as elated as he does but she refuses to go into the pod, warning Seth "something went wrong in there when you were transported, Seth. Something bad happened to you." He assumes Ronnie's refusal to enter the pod is her refusal of him and, enraged, leaves to cheat on her with a woman he hopes will go into the telepod and also admire the new and improved Seth Brundle. It is at the moment that Seth is dragging Tawny towards the pod that the classic line of the film is uttered by Ronnie:
Tawny: I'm afraid...
Seth: Don't be afraid.
Ronnie: No. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Weeks pass until Seth calls Ronnie asking for her help. She returns to dingy, atmospheric setting of Seth's warehouse and the change in her lover is shocking. His skin has flaked off, leaving it looking burnt and weepy, his teeth have started falling out and he must wear gloves because his nails have fallen off to allow acid to squirt out. Bewildered by what he believes is an illness Seth allows Ronnie to continue documenting his transformation. The suspense is built up beautifully when Seth later questions his computer on what happened during his transportation:
Seth: Brundle, Seth. Give me a disc. Uh, I need first the teleportation S. Brundle.
Computer: [displays presence of primary and secondary teleportation elements]
Seth : [typing] If primary element is Brundle, what is secondary element?
Computer: Secondary element is not-Brundle.
Seth: Run sequence.
Computer: [identifies secondary element as a fly]
Seth: [typing] If secondary element is fly, what happened to fly?
Computer: Fusion.
Seth: [typing] Assimilation? Did Brundle absorb fly?
Computer: Negative. Fusion of Brundle and fly at molecular-genetic level.
The horror he feels is tangible as Seth realises this is no disease that can be cured. He is changing and will continue to change until no shred of his original self is left over. As a human this news is devastating, but to a scientist it is a great opportunity and he takes pride in keeping broken off nails, teeth and fingers in a bathroom cabinet for posterity.
While watching a video of Seth with Borans Ronnie races to the toilet in tears and admits to him that she is pregnant with Seth's baby and doesn't know if it was conceived before or after his teleportation. After a disturbing dream sequence that has Ronnie give birth to a maggot she decides on an abortion but is still torn because of her love of Seth. She visits him again but his human empathy is deteriorating rapidly and he warns her: "I'm saying... I'm saying I - I'm an insect who dreamt he was a man and loved it. But now the dream is over... and the insect is awake. I'm saying... I'll hurt you if you stay."
Ronnie leaves in tears and demands an abortion immediately. Seth watches from the roof of his warehouse and kidnaps Ronnie at the hospital to take her back to his "Brundlefly" lair. The climax of the film is upon us as Borans follows in an attempt to save the day but his shotgun is no match for the monstrosity before him. Seth knocks the shotgun casually away (perhaps a swatter or a tea towel would have been more effective?) and with a mixture of man's spite and jealousy and the insects lack of compassion he excretes acid over Borans, melting his hand and foot in the process.
Seth turns to Ronnie and again pulls her towards the pod, "we can be together." he says "you, me and the baby." As tempting as the offer is Ronnie refuses and in self defence accidentally pulls Seth's jaw off which instigates the final part of his metamorphosis. Bits of flesh fall to the ground as he pushes her into the pod and shuffles to the other. The suspense has the audience on the edge of their seat: Will Seth go through with this insane and desperate plan? What would that three creature contraption actually look like?
While these questions are being asked Borans smashes the glass of Seth's pod and crawls over to Ronnie to get her out before the transportation and bizarre three way mixture of human and insect bodies happens.Seth is transported alone for the final time and crawls out a broken man and badly damaged insect. What is left of Seth's mind uses his pulvilli to point the shotgun Ronnie is holding at the fly's head. Seth knows now that there is no going back, no chance of reconcilliation and no chance of ever becoming what he once was again. A devastated Ronnie hesitates then pulls the trigger before falling to her knees.
The Fly is a film that is masterful in keeping suspense throughout the film up to the shocking climax. It is eerie, strange and disturbing and leaves the watcher with unforgettable scenes burnt into their memories. But The Fly is not only a horror film, it is also a story about love and arrogance. Like Icarus who should not have gotten so close to the sun, Seth should not have gotten into his telepod.
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