Peeling Back the Flesh: The Darkside of Society Explores the Real-Life Horror Behind a Cult Classic

When Brian Yuzna’s Society first slithered onto screens in 1989, it shocked, confused, and mesmerized horror fans with its surreal vision of upper-class monstrosity. The film’s grotesque body horror and infamous “shunting” scene have since solidified its place in the pantheon of cult horror. But now, a new documentary reveals that the film’s depravity wasn’t just an exercise in cinematic imagination — it was a scream from deep within the psyche of its co-writer.

Uncork’d Entertainment has acquired distribution rights to The Darkside of Society, a riveting new documentary that unearths the harrowing personal story behind Society. Set for release on digital and on-demand platforms May 13, 2025, the film is a chilling dive into the mind of writer Zeph E. Daniel — formerly known as Woody Keith — who now reveals that his work on the cult classic was far more autobiographical than he ever realized.

Directed by Larry Wade Carrell (Girl Next, The Quantum Devil), The Darkside of Society is no mere behind-the-scenes featurette. Instead, it is an unflinching psychological excavation, charting Daniel’s realization that the grotesque elite orgy at the heart of Society may have been a subconscious manifestation of childhood trauma long buried. What was once viewed as over-the-top satire is now reframed as a horror more personal — and more real — than fans ever imagined.

The film marks another collaboration between Daniel and Carrell under their Crazed House banner. Their partnership — which has previously delivered mind-bending genre fare as part of their “Quantum Quartet” series — continues to push boundaries, this time venturing into documentary territory with raw, uncomfortable honesty.

“This isn’t a nostalgic tribute,” says Uncork’d President Keith Leopard. “It’s a revelation. The Darkside of Society offers horror fans, cinephiles, and documentary audiences alike a chance to re-experience Society through an entirely new — and deeply unsettling — lens.”

After premiering at the prestigious Sitges Film Festival in 2023 and captivating audiences at FrightFest, The Darkside of Society has garnered attention for its unfiltered storytelling, rare behind-the-scenes footage, and Daniel’s haunting personal testimony. It’s a documentary that doesn’t just revisit a film — it redefines it.

As horror continues to evolve, one thing remains certain: the most terrifying stories are often the ones rooted in truth. The Darkside of Society reminds us that the line between fiction and reality is not only thin — it’s porous.

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