One has to wonder if, when remaking THE FLY, Cronenberg had CURSE OF THE FLY more in mind than the original. Scientific obsession and the results of its errors confuse and complicate domestic relations in all the original FLY films, but most of all in CURSE OF THE FLY, in which the Science Fiction content is made motive for the foregrounded melodrama. It's a better sequel than the second one, and a more complex film than the first.

If there's another SF film to which it can be compared, it might be THE CREATURE WALKS AMONG US, with its mix of monster surgery and divorce melodrama. It also bears some resemblance to the Outer Limits episode, THE BELLERO SHIELD.

What this one's lacking is Vincent Price. CURSE OF THE FLY bears resemblance to both THE TINGLER and HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL. It is not hard to imagine Price in Castle mode making this a richer experience, continuing his character's place as concerned observer or better yet shoehorned into the Brian Donleavy role.

The British pedigree of the film gives it an edge such that at certain moments nearly moves into Losey / Pinter territory. Which it never quite does. However, it's interesting to speculate on an alternate cast, perhaps with Brian Donleavy replaced by Donald Pleasance and George Baker by Dirk Bogarde.