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Horror Cult Classic

Wrongly locked away, Arnold Masters plots psychic revenge from beyond his padded cell.

PSYCHIC KILLER

He Freed his Mind and Body to Commit the Most Sensual and Shocking Acts Imaginable!

1975 · 1h 29m · PG · Horror / Thriller · IMDB TMDB

Mental patient Arnold Masters, hospitalized for a murder he didn't commit, learns astral projection--the art of leaving one's physical body and transporting the soul someplace else--from a fellow inmate. Upon his release, Arnold uses his new powers to bump off the people he holds responsible for his arrest, his mother's death while he was imprisoned and the price of meat! Lt. Morgan and Lt. Anderson are the cops on his trail, while his caring shrink, Dr. Scott, tries to prevent any more deaths.

Quick Answer

What is Psychic Killer about?

Psychic Killer is a 1975 American horror-thriller directed by Ray Danton about an innocent man who, after being institutionalized for a crime he did not commit, learns astral projection and uses his psychic powers for revenge.

Programmer's Pick

Psychic Killer delivers paranormal vengeance with a straight face and a dash of psychotronic flair. Astral projection and creative deaths ensure this isn’t your average manhunt. Ray Danton keeps the psychic mayhem simmering just beneath the institution’s padded surface.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Arnold Masters, played by Jim Hutton, finds himself in a psychiatric institution after being found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity—a crime he insists he did not commit. His mother’s illness and subsequent death set the stage for a tragic miscarriage of justice, as Arnold’s lack of resources led to her being denied treatment and his own wrongful conviction. While institutionalized, Arnold’s plight is compounded by the knowledge of his mother’s fate arriving too late to make a difference. The film’s early setup explores themes of injustice, mental health, and the desperation of a man with nowhere to turn, all before Arnold discovers a means of psychic escape that will change everything.

Details & Specs

Director
Ray Danton
Writers
Ray Danton, Mikel Angel, Greydon Clark
Release
1975
Runtime
1h 29m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
Also Known As
Killer Force, Le tueur démoniaque, O Satanas mesa sto kormi tou, The Kirlian Effect, The Kirlian Force

Why This Matters

This film marks the final theatrical appearances of actors Jim Hutton and Paul Burke, and was retitled from The Kirlian Force to Psychic Killer to highlight its sensational horror elements upon release by AVCO Embassy Pictures.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

View all →
Director: Ray Danton Writers: Ray Danton +2 more

Why Cult

Astral Projection Revenge

Arnold doesn’t just stalk his enemies—he leaves his body to do it, using psychic powers to settle scores.

Parapsychology Gone Wild

Psychic Killer leans into extrasensory perception and parapsychology, mixing horror with supernatural experimentation.

Outlandish Death Scenes

Victims meet their end in bizarre, psychically-induced accidents, from meat grinders to construction cranes.

Psychotronic Indie Spirit

With its independent production and genre-mashing style, the film offers a taste of mid-70s psychotronic cinema.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Arnold learns astral projection after wrongful imprisonment

Threat

Arnold's psychic powers used for revenge

Effect

Victims die in mysterious, seemingly accidental ways

Countermeasure

Police and doctors attempt to stop Arnold's out-of-body attacks

Setting

Psychiatric hospital and surrounding community

Questions from the Vault

Who directed Psychic Killer? +

Ray Danton directed Psychic Killer.

How long is Psychic Killer? +

Psychic Killer has a runtime of 89 minutes.

What genre is Psychic Killer? +

Psychic Killer is a horror-thriller film.

Where can I watch Psychic Killer? +

Psychic Killer is available to stream on SassyFlix.

How does Arnold Masters enact his revenge? +

After learning astral projection from a fellow inmate, Arnold uses his psychic abilities to leave his body and kill those he blames for his incarceration and his mother's death.

Trailers & Clips