The Daily Dig: Bug (2006)

It’s the best non-Cronenberg body horror, with riveting performances by actors who are fully committed to the material.

A Gulf War veteran brings his delusions and anxieties to stay with a woman in a motel. Let’s dig into 2006’s BUG, directed by William Friedkin!

As I See It

This film reminded me a lot of my favorite Dig, Possession. It’s got a similar tone, and the toxic relationship aspect rhymes.

Containing the film in a motel room lends to the anxiety of the characters. Once the room is covered in foil and lit solely by purple bug zappers, everything has clearly deteriorated beyond the point of return.

Multiple people have tried to categorize this as a love story, but I think it’s more about self-exploration through a mirror — that mirror being another human we find value in.

Peter’s speech about clouding up your center with sex and relationships is an existential crisis at its door. When you eliminate your base desires, you get to explore who you really are. It’s a warning to Agnes, but the direction is perfect as Judd’s character seems to treat Peter’s words as a symbol of depth rather than cautionary foreshadowing.

The bug infestation is a metaphor for the problems each human carries with them. The baggage you inherit when you start dating someone.

“I am the super mother bug!” is a ridiculous line, but the delivery is exactly what it needed to be.

You may resist calling this a horror film, just like the director has. But what is more horror than reducing ourselves to creatures who fear the very skin we are in?

Famous Faces

Going through Ashley Judd’s (Agnes) credits, I was surprised about how sparse her film work has been compared to my own perception of her work. Kiss the Girls, which was based on a James Patterson novel, sticks out, as does Simon Birch. I think that speaks to how strong of a performer she is.

Michael Shannon (Peter) is a gift to acting, and I would suggest starting from the beginning of his resume (Groundhog Day) and moving up the line of films the way you would if you were watching a Director’s filmography. As for mainstream, he’s played the modern-day General Zod in the DC films.

Lynn Collins (R.C.) played Leah on The Walking Dead.

Harry Connick Jr. (Jerry) became known as a throwback to an earlier era of musical performance as a crooner. But you also may recognize him as Jimmy, alongside Will Smith in Roland Emmerich’s Independence Day.

Of Gratuitous Nature

The sex scene is provocative and sensual. It’s meant to be extremely intimate instead of a couple of drunk and coked-up fools having a one-night stand. It’s an important scene, and even with all the sexuality, there seems to be a danger present.

Heartthrob

Lynn Collins (R.C.) was my favorite part of The Walking Dead. Her story arc with Daryl was one of the only elements of the series with heart, in my opinion. Also, she’s uniquely gorgeous.

Ripe for a Remake

It would be a disservice to the performances that Friedkin was able to showcase. Maybe you could find actors to hit a few notes and harmonies, but why would you need to?

Spawns

No progeny to report.

Where to Watch

There is no US high-definition physical release, but it was released on Blu-Ray and the dead media HD-DVD in Germany. You can stream it on The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, and Fandor.