"Psychic Killer" focuses on Arnold, a prison inmate wrongly convicted of killing his mother's doctor after he refuses to perform life-saving surgery on her because she has no medical insurance. When Arnold is ultimately vindicated, he sets forth on a killing spree using astral projection to keep him physically disconnected from the crimes.
This oddball mid-'70s effort predates the more popular Australian film "Patrick", which has a similar premise, and is actually a rather effective albeit strange mixture of science fiction and horror. Visually, the film has the look of a number of low-budget movies of this era, particularly those set and shot in Los Angeles--it at times almost has the feel of a made-for-television affair, except it is more violent and generally more scandalous.
The film boasts a somewhat distinguished cast, with Jim Hutton leading as the protagonist, with Neville Brand, Nehemiah Persoff, Julie Adams, and Aldo Ray appearing in supporting parts. Adding to the appeal here is the series of death sequences perpetrated psychically by Arnold, which, as others have noted, possess a "Final Destination"-esque quality to them (there is one particular protracted sequence featuring a crane and a large stone block that is almost comic). There is also a number of black-and-white flashback sequences featured that are undercut with an unnerving score that are unexpectedly eerie.
All in all, one has to take "Psychic Killer" as it is: A low-budget effort that is imaginative and mindlessly entertaining. Arnold's motives for revenge lend the film a bit of pathos that makes him a sympathetic character, which add a unique flavor to the film as a whole. 7/10.
This oddball mid-'70s effort predates the more popular Australian film "Patrick", which has a similar premise, and is actually a rather effective albeit strange mixture of science fiction and horror. Visually, the film has the look of a number of low-budget movies of this era, particularly those set and shot in Los Angeles--it at times almost has the feel of a made-for-television affair, except it is more violent and generally more scandalous.
The film boasts a somewhat distinguished cast, with Jim Hutton leading as the protagonist, with Neville Brand, Nehemiah Persoff, Julie Adams, and Aldo Ray appearing in supporting parts. Adding to the appeal here is the series of death sequences perpetrated psychically by Arnold, which, as others have noted, possess a "Final Destination"-esque quality to them (there is one particular protracted sequence featuring a crane and a large stone block that is almost comic). There is also a number of black-and-white flashback sequences featured that are undercut with an unnerving score that are unexpectedly eerie.
All in all, one has to take "Psychic Killer" as it is: A low-budget effort that is imaginative and mindlessly entertaining. Arnold's motives for revenge lend the film a bit of pathos that makes him a sympathetic character, which add a unique flavor to the film as a whole. 7/10.