Love it, love it, love it. This genuinely compelling tale is an unsung classic of horror & exploitation cinema, and one of Harrington's finest films. It has recently (Fall 2007) been released on DVD for the first time, barring one poor quality cheapie version referenced in another review here. Very exciting to see a decent quality print of it for the first time. The tone of The Killing Kind seems really unusual to a modern viewer because it is slow, quiet, and meditative - not what we have come to expect from a horror film. The story centers on a desperately lonely single mother (Thelma) with inappropriate feelings for her son (Terry), who for his part is tormented by his own thwarted desires and the aggression of the women around him. Southern and Savage give powerful performances and the dynamic between them is intense. Harrington said that Southern tried to upstage the other actors, but was herself intimidated by Savage. Their tension adds to the believability of their twisted relationship. Luana Anders is fantastic as the clinically depressed, sexually frustrated spinster next door. Ruth Roman, with her caftan and 3-packs day voice, is also perfect casting. Special props to Marjorie Eaton as Mrs. Orland.
Review of The Killing Kind
