1984. Produced by Steven Spielberg, fresh off the historic success of E.T., a film that blended horror and comedy managed to break Warner’s box-office record, spark a parental controversy, become the first merchandising success since *Star Wars*, and lay the groundwork for satire, six years later, of that very commercial success—in a kamikaze sequel that threw its original blueprint overboard, replacing it with the most anarchic spectacle ever produced with a blockbuster’s budget. A look back at Gremlins 1 & 2, the most irreverent phenomenon of its time, as told by its director and his closest collaborators—the real parasites behind this prophetic sabotage!
