The Killing Kind

Watch The Killing Kind

"Terry loved soft, furry, little animals. He loved his mother. He loved pretty girls...ALL DEAD!"
  • R
  • 1951
  • 1 hr 35 min
  • 6.1  (1,236)

The Killing Kind is a 1973 psychological thriller directed by Curtis Harrington and stars John Savage, Ann Sothern, and Ruth Roman. The movie's plot revolves around Terry Lambert, played by Savage, a disturbed young man who has just been released from a mental hospital after being treated for pyromania. The movie begins with Terry getting an inheritance of a mansion from his deceased grandmother, leading him to move back to his hometown. Terry's mental state starts to deteriorate as he becomes paranoid and unstable. He begins to seek revenge on those who he believes have wronged him in the past.

The film starts with Terry's arrival in his hometown, and we get our first introduction to his disturbed psyche. We see Terry's first encounter with the local town sheriff's daughter Lori, played by Cindy Williams. Terry is immediately drawn to Lori but she does not reciprocate those feelings, which sets Terry on a violent path. As the movie progresses, we see Terry's paranoia increase, as he develops grudges against people he sees as obstacles to his happiness. The movie does a great job of depicting Terry's descent into madness and how that affects the people around him. With superb acting from John Savage, the audience is taken on a journey through Terry's tortured mind.

One of the key highlights of the movie is the performance by Ann Sothern, who plays Terry's aunt. Sothern gives an excellent performance as a no-nonsense woman who is trying to keep her nephew sane. She adds much-needed humor to the movie while also giving us a glimpse into Terry's family issues. Her performance is a standout and adds depth to the movie. Ruth Roman also does an excellent job playing the role of Terry's mother. She brings a touch of empathy to her character, but we also see how her actions have contributed to Terry's emotional turmoil.

The music in the movie is also worthy of note. It adds to the tension, and the score has a haunting quality. The film's pacing is deliberate, and it adds to the sense of foreboding. Director Curtis Harrington does an excellent job of increasing the tension as the movie progresses. The first half of the movie is relatively slow, but the second half is filled with suspense and tension.

The killing scenes are not overly graphic, but they are still disturbing. Harrington does a great job of making the audience feel uncomfortable. The movie does not rely on jump scares or gore to get a reaction from the audience. The tension is built up slowly, which makes the payoff that much more effective. The movie is a psychological thriller, and it succeeds in creating a sense of dread that stays with the viewer long after the movie ends.

In conclusion, The Killing Kind is a well-made psychological thriller that is notable for John Savage's performance as Terry Lambert. Anne Sothern also gives an excellent performance as Terry's aunt. The movie does an excellent job of portraying a disturbed psyche and the effects it has on those around the person. Curtis Harrington directs the movie with expert skill, and the slow-paced nature of the movie works to create a sense of foreboding. The Killings Kind's score also deserves special mention as it creates a haunting atmosphere. The movie's slow-burning tension makes the payoff that much more effective. The Killing Kind is a movie that is worth watching for those who enjoy psychological thrillers.

Note: The Killing Kind is not to be confused with the 2014 movie featuring the same name.

The Killing Kind is a 1951 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.

The Killing Kind
Description
Where to Watch The Killing Kind
The Killing Kind is available to watch free on Kanopy. It's also available to stream, download on demand at Amazon Prime and The Roku Channel. Some platforms allow you to rent The Killing Kind for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1951
  • MPAA Rating
    R
  • Runtime
    1 hr 35 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.1  (1,236)
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