Watch The Pyx

The Pyx is a 1973 psychological thriller film directed by Harvey Hart, based on the novel of the same name by John Buell. The movie stars Karen Black as Elizabeth Lucy, a woman who is found dead on the street outside a skyscraper at the beginning of the film. Christopher Plummer plays detective Jim Henderson, who investigates the case, while Donald Pilon plays a musician named Keerson who may have been involved with Elizabeth's life and death.

The movie opens with Elizabeth's body being found on the street while a gentle guitar tune plays on the soundtrack. It then cuts to a series of flashbacks that show how Elizabeth met Keerson and became involved in his drug-addled lifestyle. The flashbacks also reveal that Elizabeth was a prostitute, and that she had recently become involved in a dangerous new job that involved smuggling drugs into the country in the form of small religious tokens known as pyx.

As Detective Henderson investigates the case, he gradually uncovers the truth about Elizabeth's life and death. He learns that she was deeply troubled and had a traumatic history that included a childhood in foster care and a failed marriage. He also discovers that she was involved with a shadowy drug smuggling ring that used the pyx as a cover for their activities.

Throughout the movie, the narrative is intercut with shots of Elizabeth's body being prepared for autopsy and brought to the morgue. These scenes are interspersed with flashbacks that reveal more about Elizabeth's life, and they also introduce a mysterious figure who seems to be following the investigation from the shadows.

The Pyx is a slow-burning thriller that relies more on mood and atmosphere than on action or suspense. The film is shot in a gritty, low-budget style that captures the seedy underbelly of Montreal in the early 1970s. The movie also benefits from strong performances by its lead actors, particularly Karen Black, who captures Elizabeth's vulnerability and desperation with haunting intensity.

One of the key themes of The Pyx is the intersection between spirituality and drug addiction. The film explores the idea that drug use can be seen as a form of self-medication for people who are searching for deeper meaning in their lives. The pyx themselves serve as a metaphor for this idea, as they are small, portable objects that are imbued with religious symbolism but are also used to smuggle drugs across international borders.

Overall, The Pyx is an intriguing and haunting film that is sure to appeal to fans of psychological thrillers and character-driven dramas. Its exploration of complex themes and its skillful cinematography make it a memorable entry in the genre of crime noir.