Ever since the original film's release, Brundle has been seen as a metaphor for the AIDS epidemic. Director David Cronenberg has said that he did not intend for Brundle to be a metaphor for AIDS in particular, but for disease in general. Brundle's degeneration was seen as an accurate representation of the effects AIDS has on the human body's immune system. The film was released in the middle of the AIDS outbreak in the United States, and the paranoia surrounding the disease and its effects, primarily on the gay community. Brundle is also shown engaging in several sexual escapades before his physical degeneration begins to manifest itself, shown having sexual intercourse with Tawny before his teeth begin falling out and his fingernails begin cracking off.