"Headhunter" is a fairly intense, murky supernatural horror-thriller starring the amiable pair of Kay Lenz (as Detective Katherine Hall) and Wayne Crawford (as Detective Pete Giuliani). They get faced with an African demon that is raising Hell among Miamis' Nigerian community; this demon decapitates some victims and possesses others, and generally makes life miserable for our protagonists.
While it's commendable that director Francis Schaeffer and screenwriter Len Spinell spend a fair amount of time developing the two main characters, some viewers may feel that all of this human drama detracts from the horror. And "Headhunter" does have some pretty good horror content to deliver, as well as some humour (it doesn't take itself too, too seriously). There's some gore, with director Schaeffer trying mightily to give his film some atmosphere and ambiance (it does go heavy on the horrific imagery). Unfortunately, we never do see very much of the demon, nor get much insight into why it does what it does.
The film does benefit from the chemistry between the weary Katherine and the more volatile Pete; Lenz and Crawford make an interesting pair. Steve Kanaly pops up as their racist boss, who's not too concerned about the killers' choice of victims, June Chadwick has a two-scene cameo as Petes' ex-wife (who's become a lesbian), John Fatooh is okay as Katherines' boyfriend Roger, Gordon Mulholland figures memorably as an exposition provider, and Sam Williams is similarly striking as another provider of background information.
At least "Headhunter" does manage to go out with a bang, as Pete channels his inner Ash and chops up everything in sight with a chainsaw. He and Katherine remain reasonably compelling heroes, and rooting interest in them does not wane.
Overall, an okay B horror flick.
Six out of 10.
While it's commendable that director Francis Schaeffer and screenwriter Len Spinell spend a fair amount of time developing the two main characters, some viewers may feel that all of this human drama detracts from the horror. And "Headhunter" does have some pretty good horror content to deliver, as well as some humour (it doesn't take itself too, too seriously). There's some gore, with director Schaeffer trying mightily to give his film some atmosphere and ambiance (it does go heavy on the horrific imagery). Unfortunately, we never do see very much of the demon, nor get much insight into why it does what it does.
The film does benefit from the chemistry between the weary Katherine and the more volatile Pete; Lenz and Crawford make an interesting pair. Steve Kanaly pops up as their racist boss, who's not too concerned about the killers' choice of victims, June Chadwick has a two-scene cameo as Petes' ex-wife (who's become a lesbian), John Fatooh is okay as Katherines' boyfriend Roger, Gordon Mulholland figures memorably as an exposition provider, and Sam Williams is similarly striking as another provider of background information.
At least "Headhunter" does manage to go out with a bang, as Pete channels his inner Ash and chops up everything in sight with a chainsaw. He and Katherine remain reasonably compelling heroes, and rooting interest in them does not wane.
Overall, an okay B horror flick.
Six out of 10.