The Driller Killer
The Driller Killer

The Driller Killer

1979Movie101 minEnglish

An artist slowly goes insane while struggling to pay his bills, work on his paintings, and care for his two female roommates, which leads him taking to the streets of New York after dark and randomly killing derelicts with a power drill.

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Insights

IMDb5.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes56%
Director: Abel FerraraGenres: Horror, Crime, Thriller

Plot Summary

A struggling painter in New York City, driven to the brink by financial woes and societal pressures, begins a descent into madness. Plagued by hallucinations and increasing aggression, he embarks on a violent spree, using a power drill as his weapon of choice. The film explores the dark underbelly of urban decay and the psychological unraveling of an artist.

Critical Reception

The Driller Killer is a notorious entry in the exploitation and slasher genres, often divisive due to its graphic content and gritty portrayal of urban life. While initially dismissed by many critics as gratuitous violence, it has since gained a cult following and is recognized for its raw, visceral style and early insights into the directorial voice of Abel Ferrara.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its raw, unvarnished portrayal of urban decay and psychological breakdown.
  • Criticized for its excessive gore and exploitative nature.
  • Considered a significant cult film within the early slasher genre.

Google audience: Information on Google user reviews is not readily available, but audience reception is generally divided between those who appreciate its raw, gritty horror and those repulsed by its violence.

Fun Fact

The film's controversial violence and theme led to it being heavily edited or banned in many countries upon its release, contributing to its notoriety.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
Wuchak

Wuchak

**_Ugly, tedious flick about a painter going over the edge is also an amusing period piece_** An artist in Union Square, Manhattan, struggles with his homeless father, finishing a key painting, an annoying rock band in the building, and ...