Name: Sweet Kill
Director: Curtis Hanson
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Released: 1972-02-18
Duration: 85 min
Rating: 3.5
Cast: Tab Hunter, Cherie Latimer, Nadyne Turney, Isabel Jewell, Linda Leider

Curtis Hanson's sleazy debut: a motel manager with mommy issues and a VERY literal interpretation of 'loving women to death.'

Grimy grindhousePsychosexual sleazeLow-budget exploitation

Overview

Horror Thriller

Horror and suspense in the story of a psychotic maniac who literally "loves" women to death.

Content warning

Misogynistic violenceOedipal fixationSexual repression and releaseIsolation and alienation

Standout Aspects

Acting

Tab Hunter's sweaty desperation as a has-been playing a has-been.

Direction

Hanson's amateur-hour compositions before L.A. Confidential redemption.

Best for:Solo·Rewatch

Heads up:Sexual Content·Disturbing

Director

Curtis Hanson

ReleasedFeb 18, 1972

Runtime1h 25m

StatusReleased

Vibe

Paceslow

Intensitymedium

Tonedark

Feelheavy

Top Cast

Tab Hunter

Eddie Collins

Cherie Latimer

Lauren

Isabel Jewell

Mrs. Cole

Angus Scrimm

Henry (as Rory Guy)

Roberta Collins

Call Girl

John Aprea

Richard

Sandy Kenyon

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Cultural

One of many 'psycho-sexual' grindhouse films cashing in on 70s fears of urban violence and sexual liberation. Hanson later disowned it.

Trivia

Hanson wrote this under a pseudonym and only took credit after his reputation was established—then immediately wished he hadn't.

Sweet Kill (1972) Trailer

Gallery

Sweet Kill (1972)