movie poster

The Machine

1994

96 minutes

HorrorThrillerScience Fiction

Overview

This deftly made French psychological thriller terrifies with its exploration of an experiment gone horribly wrong. Dr. Marc Lacroix, a psychiatrist specializing in brain functions, is obsessed with the link between mind and spirit. To find his link he studies the criminally insane. He builds a secret machine, known only to his mistress Marianne, in which he hopes to exchange minds between humans. He simultaneously wants to help the mentally ill recover, and he wants to experience their madness. He chooses the psychotic killer, Zyto, a man who stabbed at least three women, for his experiment. The initial experiment is successful and the two exchange minds. But trouble ensues when Zyto refuses to reverse the switch. There is little Marc can do when Zyto takes over Marc's life, and more ominously his wife and child whom are unknowingly in mortal danger. Marc, encased in Zyto's body, is returned to the asylum. Will Marc's wife recognize the danger? Will Zyto kill again?

Top Cast

Gérard Depardieu headshot

Gérard Depardieu

Dr. Marc Lacroix

Nathalie Baye headshot

Nathalie Baye

Marie Lacroix

Didier Bourdon headshot

Didier Bourdon

Michel Zyto

Natalia Wörner headshot

Natalia Wörner

Marianne

Julie Depardieu headshot

Julie Depardieu

A nurse

Claude Berri headshot

Claude Berri

Hugues

Erwan Baynaud headshot

Erwan Baynaud

Léonard Lacroix

Marc Andréoni headshot

Marc Andréoni

Le gardien

Alain Azerot headshot

Alain Azerot

Un infirmier

Wilfred Benaïche headshot

Wilfred Benaïche

Le patient

Christian Bujeau headshot

Christian Bujeau

Martial

Patty Hannock headshot

Patty Hannock

Marie-Thérèse

Arsène Jiroyan headshot

Arsène Jiroyan

Le réceptionniste

Christian Ruché headshot

Christian Ruché

Cédric