The Hunger (1983 film)

The Hunger
Theatrical release poster
Directed byTony Scott
Screenplay by
  • Ivan Davis
  • Michael Thomas
Based onThe Hunger
by Whitley Strieber
Produced byRichard Shepherd
Starring
CinematographyStephen Goldblatt
Edited byPamela Power
Music by
Production
companies
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Peerford Ltd.
Distributed byMGM/UA Entertainment Co.
Release date
  • 29 April 1983 (1983-04-29) (United States)
Running time
97 minutes
Countries
  • United States
  • United Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Box office$12.3 million

The Hunger is a 1983 erotic horror film directed by Tony Scott in his directorial debut, starring Catherine Deneuve, David Bowie and Susan Sarandon. An international co-production of the United States and the United Kingdom, the film is a loose adaptation of the 1981 novel of the same name by Whitley Strieber, with a screenplay by Ivan Davis and Michael Thomas. Its plot concerns a love triangle between a doctor who specialises in sleep and ageing research (Sarandon) and a vampire couple (Deneuve and Bowie). The film's special effects were handled by make-up effects artist Dick Smith.

After premiering at the 1983 Cannes Film Festival, The Hunger was released in the spring of 1983 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Though it received a mixed critical response, the film has accrued a cult following within the goth subculture in the years since its release.