Serial killers are fascinating characters to center films around and there are several underrated releases from the 1980s that haven’t received enough love over the years. Audiences continue to be drawn to serial killer stories, both those inspired by real-life murderers and those that are entirely fictional. The actions and psychology of these characters allow filmmakers to explore a range of unsettling and thought-provoking themes, including those that examine audiences’ growing obsession with these figures in the media.
Slashers were big in the ’80s, and as one might expect, several serial killer movies land in the subgenre of horror and follow a relentless killer collecting their victims one after the other. However, serial killers also work well within slower thrillers that take their time to build suspense. Many underrated ’80s serial killer movies are overlooked due to their mediocre critical reception or their intense depictions of violence, but are still worthy of attention decades later.
10
Calendar Girl Murders (1984)
Directed by William A. Graham
Before becoming a queen of the screen in the ’90s, Sharon Stone starred in the TV film Calendar Girl Murders as photographer Cassie Bascomb. The ABC film sees successful publisher Richard Trainor (Robert Culp) celebrating the release of a calendar featuring images of beautiful women. However, trouble starts when the models begin dying in the order of the year. Detective Dan Stoner (Tom Skerritt) works quickly on the case to prevent the killer from making their way to the December model.
The premise of Calendar Girl Murders is unique, and the mystery throughout the film is surprisingly effective. Calendar Girl Murders isn’t the strongest made-for-TV film, but is certainly a product of its time with its stylized horror and borderline campy performances. So long as audiences don’t go into the film with high expectations, it’s easy to walk away satisfied.
9
Blackout (1985)
Directed by Douglas Hickox
Being a made-for-TV film, Blackout has its limitations and isn’t able to be as dark and twisted as other serial killer films mentioned. Still, the underrated psychological thriller is worthy of a watch for its decent scares and entertaining performances. The film sees a homicide detective (Richard Widmark) investigating the brutal murders of the Vincent family, though the patriarch he suspects killed them goes missing.
When another man (Keith Carradine) involved in an unrelated accident is unable to remember his past and undergoes multiple facial reconstructive surgeries, the detective is led to believe he may be the Vincent family killer. Blackout appears to be largely predictable at the start, but the film’s numerous plot twists keep audiences guessing and unsure of what Widmark’s character will discover next.
8
Pieces (1982)
Directed by Juan Piquer Simón
Though the Spanish-American slasher Pieces has flaws, its ability to entertain audiences is not one of them. The film revolves around an unknown serial killer who attacks various women on a college campus in Boston. The killer keeps a piece of each victim’s body to create a horrific sort of jigsaw puzzle. Pieces has remnants of both giallo films and standard American slashers but doesn’t add much to either genre.
The film’s narrative and dialogue have been picked apart by audiences and critics alike, but it has still managed to earn a cult following over the years. Pieces creates a substantial amount of suspense as the death count quickly increases and the identity of the killer isn’t immediately revealed. The movie also has enough gore and violence to satisfy audiences who prefer their slashers to be brutal and bloody.
7
White Of The Eye (1987)
Directed by Donald Cammell
Unlike a few of the other serial killer movies mentioned, White of the Eye doesn’t aim to entertain audiences with a suspenseful mystery and an abundance of shocking deaths. Instead, the film provides a look at the life of a suspected serial killer, allowing audiences to better understand what led him to act violently later on in life. In Arizona, a string of similar murders take place and Detective Charles Mendoza (Art Evans) suspects local audio technician Paul White (David Keith) has something to do with it.
White of the Eye is wonderfully stylish and is held up well by the performances of its cast. Keith is a strong lead and delivers a great performance as the everyman character with a dangerous, hidden life, making the film’s plot twist work that much better. Cathy Moriarty also gives a memorable performance as Paul’s wife Joan, who is left dealing with the actions of her mysterious husband.
6
Angst (1983)
Directed by Gerald Kargl
A handful of disturbing serial killer movies aim to immerse audiences in their twisted narratives by making them complicit in their killer’s actions. One of these films is the Austrian thriller Angst. The film follows an unnamed serial killer recently released from prison. Feeling the urge to commit a murder, the killer wanders around and breaks into a home. The killer attacks the family, and it’s extremely difficult to watch at times.
Angst is bloody, but it isn’t as graphic or nauseating as other horror or serial killer movies. However, the camera work and use of narration from the killer bring audiences much closer to his actions than most other films in the genre do. The film is truly one of a kind, though it has been heavily compared to Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, which came out a few years later, due to the way it invites audiences into the life of a killer.
5
Jack’s Back (1988)
Directed by Rowdy Herrington
Jack the Ripper is an infamous serial killer who’s been the subject of plenty of movies and TV shows, including Jack’s Back in the late ’80s. Set 100 years after Jack the Ripper’s killings, police discover a series of copycat murders are taking place across Los Angeles. Police believe a recently deceased doctor, John Wesford (James Spader), is responsible, but this theory is quickly ruined when his identical twin brother (also Spader) claims to have had a vision that depicted the real killer.
Jack’s Back has one of the more creative Jack the Ripper stories, but its uneven pacing and convoluted plot prevent the film from living up to its full potential. Still, Spader is a wonderful lead and handles the dual roles with ease. The actor is focused and committed in his performance and is cited as being a highlight of the film by many critics.
4
Tightrope (1984)
Directed by Richard Tuggle
Clint Eastwood is known best for his Western work and for playing the role of Harry Callahan in the Dirty Harry films. Another complicated cop Eastwood played is Wes Block in the underrated crime film Tightrope. The movie revolves around the numerous murders of local sex workers in the New Orleans area. Wes leads the investigation, but several questionings with the brothel employees turn into physical interactions, often making the detective the last person to see the women alive before their deaths.
Compared to Eastwood’s other non-Western action movies, which see the star in numerous chase scenes and fast-paced sequences, Tightrope is more of a slow burn. The serial killer and Wes are in a bit of a cat-and-mouse game, with the former following the detective around and using Wes’ misguided behavior to their advantage. The film’s name comes from the line Wes crosses as he gives in to his impulses, inadvertently attracting the killer’s attention.
3
Tenebrae (1982)
Directed by Dario Argento
Dario Argento is known for popularizing giallo films in the ’70s and ’80s, and while Tenebrae is among Argento’s best films, it’s still relatively underrated compared to films like Deep Red or Suspiria. Tenebrae follows American author Peter Neal (Anthony Franciosa) on a trip to Rome, where he’s promoting his latest horror novel. However, Peter soon finds himself caught up in a serial killer investigation when it’s discovered the perpetrator is inspired by his fictional writing.
The film is full of violence and, like much of Argento’s work, it’s incredibly stylish. Still, there is a bit of weight to the film’s narrative, which is packed with metafictional elements. Argento not only references his own work, including The Cat o’ Nine Tails and The Bird with the Crystal Plumage, but the character Peter is seen by many as a fictionalized version of Argento. Much of the response from other characters in the film to Peter’s novels echoes what people have said about Argento as a horror director.
2
Road Games (1981)
Directed by Richard Franklin
Like many of the best Australian thrillers, Road Games uses its outback setting to its advantage, creating a strong sense of isolation between its main characters and the rest of society. The film follows truck driver Pat Quid (Stacy Keach) on his long journey, where he eventually becomes suspicious of a fellow driver, believing he’s kidnapping and killing several hitchhikers. Pat is joined by a hitchhiker (Jamie Lee Curtis) and works to catch the suspected serial killer.
Road Games is a celebrated addition to the series of road trip horror movies that place its protagonists on the road with a dangerous killer. The film isn’t all that original, but it will certainly entertain and leave audiences on the edge of their seats as the suspense gradually builds the closer Pat gets to the killer. Road Games also infuses just the right amount of humor to keep the film lively without stripping it of its thrills.
1
Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer (1986)
Directed by John McNaughton
Just like Angst, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer doesn’t shy away from showing audiences the disturbing reality of its killer’s actions. The film follows the titular murderer (Michael Rooker) around, highlighting the gruesome nature of his attacks. While attention is given to Henry’s victims, much of the film’s direction forces audiences to accompany the killer on his spree, acting as a witness to his depravity. Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer is also loosely based on real-life serial killer Henry Lee Lucas and his accomplice Ottis Toole.
As difficult of a film as Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer may be to watch, it’s still incredibly rewarding. The violence in the film is purposefully unsettling, as bits of the movie are meant to make audiences reflect on their relationship and fascination with serial killer stories. As far as performances go, Rooker delivers one of the best of his career, perfectly capturing the chilling and callous demeanor of the infamous killer.