The Killing Kind (1973)

37% of users liked it
(202 ratings)

This genuinely perverse horror film stars John Savage as a young man forced to participate in the beachfront gang rape of Sue Bernard by his nasty friends. After two years in jail, he returns to the boardinghouse run by his mother (Ann Sothern), who does things like kissing him on the mouth and… More This genuinely perverse horror film stars John Savage as a young man forced to participate in the beachfront gang rape of Sue Bernard by his nasty friends. After two years in jail, he returns to the boardinghouse run by his mother (Ann Sothern), who does things like kissing him on the mouth and photographing him in the shower. Before long, he freaks out and strangles a cat while peeping at a new tenant (Cindy Williams), then almost drowns the poor girl in the pool before slashing her panties with a razor and choking her in the bathtub. He forces Bernard's car off a cliff, then makes his lawyer (Ruth Roman) drink herself stupid at knifepoint before setting her on fire. Savage and Sothern are fabulous and Luana Anders is creepy as the librarian next door who keeps trying to seduce the disturbed man. Quite a twisted little chiller, with several priceless bizarre moments like a dream sequence featuring a diapered Savage in a crib on the beach surrounded by laughing neighbors. The ubiquitous Gary Graver did 2nd unit photography. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: Curtis Harrington
Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

On DVD: Nov 20, 2007

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's one of Harrington's best films.
Lucius Gore, ESplatter
Despite the anticipation for the film's only director-approved release, 'The Killing Kind' is far from a classic.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Underrated creepy thriller from Harrington.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Bruce B

This movie was better then I thought it would be. Ann Southern was a excellent actress in this movie, reminded me of an Aunt I used to have, she was fun to. Not to scary just a 1973 Drive In Type Movie. Good for a Friday Night rental.
Quinto W

Ann Sothern gives what is probably the best performance ever on a B-movie, giving dimenion and depth to her character through subtlety and emotion. As for the rest of the film, well, it isn't bad, actually, but it's just kind of lost when it comes to focus. It's an… More
Ann Sothern gives what is probably the best performance ever on a B-movie, giving dimenion and depth to her character through subtlety and emotion. As for the rest of the film, well, it isn't bad, actually, but it's just kind of lost when it comes to focus. It's an interesting character study in its own right, but it could've been way better. Nevertheless, it remains very reminiscnent of 'Psycho' given the way it explores how much a mover's love affects a child.