I didn't get around to viewing this early 80's slasher/thriller movie until it was released as part of the "Slasher Classics Collection" and honestly despite some interesting moments, this unfortunately was a bit of a slog to get through. Although the director seemed intent on making more of a straight thriller (with some sleaze thrown in), it lacked in suspense and boring pacing, a prime example of a simple idea poorly executed.
Okay there are a few positives about this movie such as its feels unique and eccentric in its approach which feels rather clumsy especially when it comes to the strange cast of characters such as the male lead Klaus Kinski as the therapist Peter who certainly lives up to his crazy real-life persona and a way too obvious red herring, but his performance is rather engaging. Marianna Hill as the female lead Julie is fine in her rather limited role. But Craig Wasson is a standout as the odd ex-husband and Donna Wilkes really hams things up nicely as the therapist's daughter whose also rather odd with her and the father's rather strange relationship.
The whodunnit aspect is handled rather well with a couple of twists and turns here and there, but in the end the conclusion is rather predictable yet leaves too many questions unanswered. However there are quite a few problems with this movie which could partly be down to the rather low budget, with a really cheap sounding synth score that doesn't build any tension at all. The murders aren't very memorable either and far from makes up for this movie's shortcomings.
Overall only see this if you really need to, but otherwise apart its eccentricity which makes it kind of interesting, there's nothing here that wasn't done better in other far better slasher movies.
Okay there are a few positives about this movie such as its feels unique and eccentric in its approach which feels rather clumsy especially when it comes to the strange cast of characters such as the male lead Klaus Kinski as the therapist Peter who certainly lives up to his crazy real-life persona and a way too obvious red herring, but his performance is rather engaging. Marianna Hill as the female lead Julie is fine in her rather limited role. But Craig Wasson is a standout as the odd ex-husband and Donna Wilkes really hams things up nicely as the therapist's daughter whose also rather odd with her and the father's rather strange relationship.
The whodunnit aspect is handled rather well with a couple of twists and turns here and there, but in the end the conclusion is rather predictable yet leaves too many questions unanswered. However there are quite a few problems with this movie which could partly be down to the rather low budget, with a really cheap sounding synth score that doesn't build any tension at all. The murders aren't very memorable either and far from makes up for this movie's shortcomings.
Overall only see this if you really need to, but otherwise apart its eccentricity which makes it kind of interesting, there's nothing here that wasn't done better in other far better slasher movies.