Mother issues, murder, and a boarding house full of secrets in Curtis Harrington’s psychological crime horror.
THE KILLING KIND
A twisted ex-convict visits his lawyer (Ruth Roman) and moves into his mother's boardinghouse.
If your mother ever offers you a room after prison, maybe check the guest list first.
Curtis Harrington delivers a grimy take on post-prison trauma and oedipal tension, with John Savage’s fractured Terry sharing far too much with Ann Sothern’s manipulative matron. Boarders beware: this is not your average mother-son reunion.
— SassyFlix Programmer
The Killing Kind is a 1973 American crime, drama, and horror film directed by Curtis Harrington about an ex-convict whose disturbing relationship with his mother spirals into violence after his release from prison.
Synopsis
When Terry returns home after the prison stay, he moves back into the boarding house owned by his mother. When his mother wishes that Tina were dead, he borrows the car and runs her off the road. He then kills Rhea Benson (Roman), the attorney who failed to get him a reduced sentence. He is heavily influenced by the power of suggestion in his vengeance. After he kills Lori, his mother decides to poison him. Louise (Anders) sees Thelma and Terry put Lori's body in a trash can and drive it to the dump and calls the police. As the film ends, Thelma holds Terry in her lap as the sirens are heard outside.
Why Cult
The film explores a deeply unsettling mother-son relationship that drives the psychological horror at its core.
Directed by cult favorite Curtis Harrington, the film blends crime, drama, and horror in his signature twisted style.
Ann Sothern, John Savage, and Ruth Roman headline a cast of eccentric boarding house residents and enablers.
The narrative follows Terry’s mental decline after a traumatic prison stint, punctuated by acts of revenge and violence.
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Questions from the Vault
What is The Killing Kind about? +
The Killing Kind is about an ex-convict whose unsettling relationship with his mother leads to a series of violent acts after his release from prison.
When was The Killing Kind released? +
The Killing Kind was released in 1973.
Who directed The Killing Kind? +
The Killing Kind was directed by Curtis Harrington.
How long is The Killing Kind? +
The Killing Kind has a runtime of 88 minutes.
What genre is The Killing Kind? +
The Killing Kind is a crime, drama, and horror film.
Where can I watch The Killing Kind? +
You can watch The Killing Kind on SassyFlix.
