As someone who doesn’t always love David Cronenberg’s intense body horror films, I was pleasantly surprised to see that “The Shrouds” has a lighter touch, leaning more into science fiction over horror.

While “The Shrouds” definitely leans heavily on sci-fi elements, the topics it covers of surveillance and dependence on technology are very much felt in the real world, too.

Vincent Cassel plays Karsh, a widower who owns the graveyard where his late wife, Becca (Diane Kruger), is buried. He is a tech guy, meaning all of the buried bodies are wrapped in shrouds that allow their loved ones to keep an eye on them. Quite the Cronenberg premise, I know.

Things start taking more bizarre turns when he notices some odd bone growths on his wife’s decaying body, and the next day, he awakes to the news that the graveyard has been vandalized overnight.

Kruger also plays a second role as Becca’s twin sister, Terry, and Guy Pearce also gives a memorable turn as Maury, Terry’s ex-husband and a collaborator of Karsh’s.

At times, some of the acting felt a little over-the-top, teetering more towards the campy side than any other Cronenberg film I’ve seen.

No spoilers, but the ending is a tad underwhelming, and not in a thought-provoking way but a lack of resolution frustrating way.

However, “The Shrouds” is definitely worth watching for the Cronenberg completionists and fans.

Rating: 3.5/5