Review of The Driller Killer (1979) by Jason S — 04 Mar 2013
Abel Ferrara's first (non-porno) feature is the perfect foundation for all of his films that come after. Ferrara is so good at melding art and trash in his films and "The Driller Killer" is a prime example of this style at its most minimal.
The film is almost a 70s grind-house update on the Corman/Griffith "Bucket of Blood" story, a starving artist that kills. What is unique about Ferrara's approach is how personal it all is.
He shot the film in 16 mm in and around his own apartment and it remains (along with Ms. 45) one of the great relics of what 70s/80s NYC really looked like. He also blends in his own fascination with Catholicism and punk-rock all of which makes "The Driller Killer" one of the great cult films of the 70s.
This review of The Driller Killer (1979) was written by Jason S on 04 Mar 2013.
The Driller Killer has generally received mixed reviews.
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