Review of Dressed to Kill (1980) by Matthew D — 15 Sep 2018

A perfectly executed thriller.

Brian De Palma directs Dressed to Kill (1980) with unbearable suspense and smooth camera work. De Palma is clearly influenced by Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho and Rear Window, but takes suspense thrillers to new frightening heights and sleazy nudity lows. The long panning sequences coupled with the gorgeous score are mesmerizing. I love the dim rooms lit by the hazy lights that make New York a disturbing nightmare at night.

This is certainly an erotic thriller. Full frontal female nudity from the opening frame to the finale. I think the majority of this movie is filled with breasts, butts, and vaginas. It's doesn't feel like it's exploiting the actresses at least, but be forewarned of the sheer volume of naked women herein.

I must mention how this film has aged. While the movie itself is immaculately directed, shot, scored, lit, and acted, I cannot in good conscious ignore Dressed to Kill's blatant trans-phobia. It implies that people who are transitioning are subject to the desire to murder is not only inaccurate medically, but an ignorant attempt to demonize an entire group of people. It's pretty gross. I wish this were not the case, but this mindset is the basis for the entire plot. Transgender people must have been horrified by Dressed to Kill like heterosexual viewers, but for totally different reasons. I feel that Dressed to Kill does a disservice to society in denying reality and implying trans people are inherently deranged, delusional, and dangerous.

Otherwise, Michael Caine, Angie Dickinson, and Nancy Allen give phenomenal performances as the main cast. I believe their fear and love their realism. The acting is just a wonderful job all around.

Overall, Dressed to Kill is a wonderful film that is sure to thrill any audience as long as they can get past the explicit nature of the film and its trans-phobic narrative.