It’s genuinely tricky to assess this film. The version most viewers experienced isn't actually what Clive Barker originally envisioned; the studio completed the final edit without his consent or input. They released something they believed would be a summer blockbuster—a monster movie—with the assistance of a test audience that seemed lacking in both discernment and appreciation for cinema or art. The Director’s cut, appearing much later, gets closer to Barker's intent, but some footage is missing because tapes were lost, and he had already moved on, so the definitive version remains elusive. The story involves Boone, a man troubled by nightmares of creatures inhabiting an unusual city, who shares a life with his girlfriend Lori, a singer at a local bar. He desires normalcy and hopes for assistance from his psychiatrist. Briefly put, the psychiatrist becomes fascinated by the monsters, Boone meets his end, only to be revived as one of them, triggering a response from "humans" seeking to eliminate the creatures. I generally avoid analyzing deeper meanings in films; I watch movies for pure entertainment. Nevertheless, the underlying message here is quite apparent: humanity’s instinct is to fear and destroy anything perceived as different, whether it's other people or animals. Focusing solely on this theme will lead to disappointment because the monsters and Boone will simply appear foolish if that’s all you notice. I tend to believe most writers craft stories from their own experiences, drawing upon their understanding of the world, personal history, memories of events and relationships. Here, Barker seems more focused on constructing a unique world and establishing the mythology surrounding these creatures than he does on exposing flaws in humanity. And he achieves this exceptionally well. The depth of his monster society’s background is impressive; the costumes are remarkably detailed, and even Dekker (portrayed by David Cronenberg) proves to be a compelling character—the priest is good too, as is Lori. These elements combine to create an enjoyable film. I even found merit in the original theatrical release, especially since we were unaware at the time that it was a compromised studio edit.

Source on TMDB