Its one of the very few films you'll see nowadays in theaters with great practical effects and interesting camera work. If youre not familiar with Brandon Cronenbergs work he typically has psychedelic sequences of lights shot through mirror boxes or projections through glass panes. These sequences are typically sandwiched in a film that delves deep in human psychology, ego/id, and technology/magic.

If I were to compare him to anyone it would be Fincher, Lynch, and of course his father.

Is it scary? Not really. Its more disturbing with graphic sequences intended for mature adults. The graphic imagery is not used as a grotesquery but serves the story and character develpment.