Welcome to the future! Atomic warfare has profoundly changed this world. In America, many survivors now spend their days sifting through the remnants of scraps, parts, and treasures scattered across the landscape. The film begins with a scavenger who makes a strange and rare discovery: the head of an unknown cyborg. Recognising the significance of this find, the scavenger decides to visit a junk dealer named Alvy (Mark Northover), who offers cash for interesting and unusual items.
As the scavenger enters the junk store, he encounters another customer and fellow traveller, Moses Baxter (Dylan McDermott). The two strike up a conversation, and Moses is so impressed by the scavenger’s discoveries that he offers a generous price for the mysterious cyborg head—more than what Alvy would typically pay. The scavenger gladly accepts the offer and continues his journey in the wasteland. Moses plans on giving the cyborg headpiece as a special gift to his girlfriend, Jill (Stacey Travis). Jill loves collecting unique objects and often incorporates them into her sculptures.
However, when Moses visits her, their time together is cut short by a call from Alvy. Alvy claims to have researched the recent cyborg part and has made a significant discovery. Intrigued, Moses agrees to meet Alvy in person to learn more, discovering that the cyborg is part of a top-secret project known as M.A.R.K. 13. Meanwhile, at Jill’s apartment, the cyborg’s head has come to life and is attempting to kill her. Trapped in her apartment, Jill must do everything in her power to defend herself against this new threat while Moses rushes to her aid. Will they be able to defeat this ultimate killing machine successfully?
Hardware is a blend of horror and science fiction. If you enjoy cyberpunk themes and visuals, you will likely appreciate this film, as it shares similarities with classics like Terminator and Blade Runner. Directed and cowritten by Richard Stanley, known for his previous works, including Colour Out of Space (2019), The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996), and Dust Devil (1992), Hardware offers a unique experience.
I have several praises for this film. First, I love the wasteland aesthetic and the sci-fi elements that are immediately noticeable. The film gets underway quickly with a mysterious scavenger in the desert before swiftly introducing the film’s main characters, particularly Moses and Shades (played by John Lynch). I appreciated how concise this segment was; it allowed us to clearly understand Moses’ background, including his history as a former soldier.
The film presents a compelling threat through the cyborg antagonist —a creatively designed, relentless killing machine. I can’t help but commend the film’s effects, which enhance the horror and violence associated with this cyborg. The musical score by Simon Boswell also deserves praise. The Order of Death, performed by Public Image Ltd, is also a standout, and I’ve repeatedly listened to it since my first viewing of the film.
Furthermore, the entire film is highly unpredictable, and the conclusion genuinely surprised me. While I hold many aspects of the movie in high regard, its most significant drawback is the pacing. Some moments drag on longer than necessary and feel less exciting, slow and- dare I say it- dull. This includes the scenes where we see Jill in her apartment trying to escape and cleverly hide from the killer cyborg. Although the film’s horror and violence are impressive, some deaths lack clarity. It can be challenging to grasp how certain characters were killed or to fully and confidently determine if they are dead.
Overall, Hardware is a cinematic cult classic, and I loved the exciting blend of cyberpunk, sci-fi, and gruesome horror. The visuals are outstanding, particularly the design of the killer cyborg, which is truly a formidable killing machine. This futuristic world captivates and draws you in on the big screen. Additionally, the film features a fantastic soundtrack by Simon Boswell. However, the most notable flaw of the film is its pacing; some key moments drag on longer than necessary, and certain aspects feel vague and uncertain. Nevertheless, Hardware is a thrilling experience, and fans of movies like Terminator and Blade Runner should seek this one out immediately.
Hardware (1990) is available on 4K UHD, thanks to Umbrella Entertainment!
8.7/10
Published: 27th March 2025
Written by: Peter Walkden
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