Poison is a 1991 American science fiction drama horror film written and directed by Todd Haynes, starring Edith Meeks, Larry Maxwell, Susan Gayle Norman, Scott Renderer, and James Lyons. Composed of three intercut narratives inspired by the novels of Jean Genet, the gay themes in Poison marked an emerging "queer new wave" in cinema. The film received generally positive reviews.

Narratives

Three stories intertwine throughout the film, named in the closing credits:

Cast

Segment: Hero Segment: Horror Segment: Homo

Release

After a world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 11, 1991, Zeitgeist Films acquired distribution rights, giving Poison a limited release starting April 5, 1991.

Controversy

U.S. culture war conservatives such as Senator Jesse Helms and Rev. Donald Wildmon of American Family Association denounced the "explicit porno scenes of homosexuals involved in anal sex".

Reception

The film received generally positive reviews.

Awards and nominations