Basket Case is a horror trilogy written and directed by Frank Henenlotter, following brothers Duane and Belial Bradley.
Released in 1982, Basket Case was made on a budget of just $35,000 in New York City. 35 years later, it was selected for preservation by MoMA (Museum of Modern Art).
The theatrical movie poster featured a glimpse of the deformed Belial peeking from his wicker basket, with the tagline of “The tenant in room 7 is very small, very twisted, and very mad.”
In Basket Case, the once-conjoined twins are in NYC on a mission to seek revenge on the doctors responsible for their surgical separation. The pair are able to communicate telepathically. Belial resents Duane’s normal appearance, with his jealousy leading to him thwarting his brother’s love life.
The sequels Basket Case 2 (1990) and Basket Case 3: The Progeny (1991) follow the brothers and their tumultuous relationship while leaning into more of a dark humor take on the horror genre.
Duane was unsuccessful with his attempt to re-attach himself with Belial, but with a tattoo you’ll have Belial by your side (or wherever on your body) permanently.
The Tattooed Archivist 