"Psychic Killer" of 1975 is a highly enjoyable and underrated little flick that should appeal to all my fellow fans of 70s low-budget Horror. This is, of course, pure camp fun, and in no way essential or great, but the ridiculously low rating of 2.6/10 is completely unjustified. This has a somewhat corny and yet quite original storyline. Arnold Masters (Jim Hutton) is wrongfully accused of a murder and put in a mental institution. When the real killer is found, Arnold gets released, vowing revenge on those he holds responsible for his arrest and the death of his mother, who died while he was locked up. Arnold has learned some things about paranormal phenomena like astral projection from a fellow inmate, and he is willing to use his new psychic powers for his revenge... The plot is corny, of course, but it is also great fun. The actors are often overacting, but not in a bad way. On the contrary, the performances were one of the film's best qualities, in my opinion. Hutton fits in the role of Arnold very well and the cast furthermore includes actors such Neville Brand ("Eaten Alive"), Neremiah Persoff ("The Harder They Fall"), Paul Burke ("Daddy's Gone A-Hunting") and, most memorably, Julie Adams ("Creature From The Black Lagoon"), who was married to director Ray Danton. The murders are quite bizarre and fun to watch but, with one exception, not really bloody. The bloody one is quite well-made, especially regarding the obviously minimal budget. Even though often illogical, the film is very imaginatively executed, and occasionally quite humorous. Also, the low budget does in no one lessen this one. If anything it increases the film's cult-factor. Overall, "Psychic Killer" is no masterpiece, but it is definitely better than its reputation. Overall, this is a camp and original little flick that is highly entertaining and recommendable to all fans of low-budget Horror.
Review of Psychic Killer
