Homicidal (1961) ⭐️⭐️⭐

The brutal stabbing murder of a justice-of-the-peace sparks an investigation of dark family secrets in a sleepy small town in Southern California.

Starring: Glenn Corbett, Patricia Breslin, Eugenie Leontovich, Alan Bunce, James Westerfield

Watch on: AppleTV, Prime Video, YouTube

It is very evident that this is William Castle’s response to Psycho. For a while while watching this movie, I was just about ready to say that the movie had just enough of its own thing that I wouldn’t quite call it a rip off, and then the ending happened. Psycho is my second favorite film of all time, behind only They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?, I feel like part of me should be upset with the way it’s been ripped off, but it has an endearingness to it that I can’t help but enjoy. William Castle seemed to have only one goal in mind while making a movie, to scare an audience. They were meant to be watched in a theater. While the movie definitely loses some of its intended shock factor when watching at home, it is still entertaining. Though I think it would be more fun to watch with a group of friends. There’s so much that would be fun to see people react to. The writing and performances being a bit all over the place, Castle’s gimmick showing up on screen right before the climax, and of course, the ending. It did have me saying “What to f***?” out loud. If you want a much better executed story that uses elements of Psycho, I recommend the Alfred Hitchcock Hour episode An Unlocked Window, but if you feel up to just having a good time with some friends, this is a fun watch. 

Ray Walton

Neurodivergent movie lover. Here to share reviews for horror and non horror movies that fall into the “Dark Cinema” category.