Review of Eyes of a Stranger (1981) by Jim H — 02 May 2011

A rapist/killer stalks Miami women as a reporter realizes that the suspect lives in her apartment complex.

In her first major role, Jennifer Jason Leigh plays a blind/deaf/dumb young girl in a bit part that serves to be the only worthwhile aspect of this poor film. It is a fairly basic slasher film with all the elements that make this genre one of the most misogynistic genres of film. When Jane says, "Tracy is not the only defenseless woman in this city," I couldn't help but think of this line as the film's thesis. I understand that two women ultimately resist the male killer, but this comes only after numerous women scream in horror and are subject to the "Gaze." Here, women are objects, not acting subjects.

Overall, for anyone looking to explore feminist film theory, Eyes of a Stranger is the perfect film to write against.