Hardware

An autonomous government weapon with artificial intelligence, code named Mark 13, is a self repairing killer that can recharge from any energy source. A string of coincidences lands its severed head at the home of a sculptor, tucked inside as an odd Christmas gift from her boyfriend. Inside, the head uses found objects to reconstruct the rest of its body and turns the house into a perilous arena as it begins a brutal assault on the occupants. Neighbours hear strange noises outside and inside the studio, turning the film into a claustrophobic nightmare. The film leans on a gritty post industrial atmosphere and practical effects that emphasize claustrophobia.

Directed by Richard Stanley, Hardware was released in 1990. It stars Dylan McDermott, Stacey Travis, and John Lynch and comes from an original screenplay by Kevin O'Neill and Steve MacManus.

Hardware has earned a place as a cult favorite among fans of practical effects and late 80s to early 90s horror synth aesthetics. Its imagery of a domestic space invaded by a scavenging machine sticks in the mind and persists in internet discussions.

Critical responses were mixed, praising mood and practical effects while noting uneven pacing and dialogue. The film looks at machines in everyday life, power's seductive lure, and the fragility of urban existence when technology turns against us.