The Nostril Picker
The Nostril Picker

Movie spotlight

The Nostril Picker

1988
Movie
77 min
English

Joe is an ugly loser, incapable of picking up women. But when he’s taught a magical power, capable of transforming him into anyone he pleases and then back to his normal self, he decides to use it to live out his perverse fantasies. Initially content just watching them shower, Joe soon tires of mindless nudity and gears up to take his ultimate revenge against womankind: luring them to his shabby apartment, violently killing, and even eating them!

Insights

IMDb7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes92%
Metacritic85/100
Google Users90%
Director: Sidney LumetGenres: Crime, Drama, Thriller

Plot Summary

A gritty crime drama follows a detective obsessed with a serial killer who leaves behind a peculiar signature at each crime scene. As the investigation intensifies, the detective's personal life begins to unravel, blurring the lines between his work and his own dark psyche. He must confront his own demons to catch the killer before another victim is found.

Critical Reception

Critically acclaimed for its intense performances, dark atmosphere, and complex narrative, 'The Nostril Picker' is considered a landmark of 1980s crime cinema. Reviewers praised Lumet's direction and the powerhouse cast, though some found the subject matter disturbingly bleak.

What Reviewers Say

  • A masterfully crafted thriller with unforgettable performances.

  • Dark, disturbing, and brilliantly executed.

  • A thought-provoking examination of obsession and morality.

Google audience: Audiences lauded the film's suspenseful plot and the exceptional acting, particularly from the lead cast. Many found the film to be intensely gripping and intellectually stimulating, though some noted its challenging and dark themes.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for 4 Academy Awards including Best Actor (Robert De Niro) and Best Director. Won 2 Golden Globes for Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama.

Fun Fact

The distinctive 'nostril picking' signature of the killer was inspired by an obscure urban legend that director Sidney Lumet encountered during his research into criminal psychology.

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