Hadrina
The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful
Roy Hart
If you're interested in the topic at hand, you should just watch it and judge yourself because the reviews have gone very biased by people that didn't even watch it and just hate (or love) the creator. I liked it, it was well written, narrated, and directed and it was about a topic that interests me.
Sarita Rafferty
There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.
Stevieboy666
Arnold Masters was wrongly locked up for murder but once he is released the police find themselves investigating a series of brutal and unexplainable deaths, all related to his case. He is chief suspect but the murders happen when he is at home, being under police surveillance.
Matlin's Movie Guide described this as "a violent shocker" but also rated it as a bomb. I disagree with the latter. It certainly is violent with deaths including an elderly lady pushed off a cliff, a sexy nurse being scolded to death in the shower nudity) and a butcher being butchered in the back of his shop (very well done). However we also have a deliberately comical death involving an Italian business man and a crane.
I enjoyed this film, it's a killer on the lose (before the slasher boom) but with a difference. Acting is all good. It's pretty violent but as mentioned does have a streak of humour and is well paced.
Scott LeBrun
"Psychic Killer" is quite amusing, and at the least can boast a twist on the usual sort of vengeance-themed murder spree. Some viewers might say that the ideas being explored deserve a much better cinematic treatment, but as schlock goes, this movie does show its audience a decent time. There's a fair bit of gore, and a little bit of imagination in terms of the death scenes. As guided by former actor turned director Ray Danton ("Deathmaster"), this has also got a hell of a cast of familiar faces to keep things watchable.Jim Hutton plays Arnold Masters, a Norman Bates type who was wrongly convicted of murder and sent to a mental institution. While incarcerated, he makes the brief acquaintance of fellow patient Emilio (character actor Stack Pierce, who has a strong presence). Emilio provides Arnold with the tools to orchestrate murders while not being physically present at the murder scenes. As a result, flustered police lieutenant Jeff Morgan (Paul Burke) has to try to solve killings that don't make any sense.The concepts of Kirlian photography (which can be seen behind the opening credits) and astral projection are good enough of a hook to reel viewers in. Hutton is good as the unbalanced protagonist. Making appearances are Julie Adams and Whit Bissell from "The Creature from the Black Lagoon", Nehemiah Persoff, Rod Cameron, Neville Brand (as a butcher whose only real "crime" is charging too much for his meat), Aldo Ray, and Della Reese. Mary Charlotte Wilcox supplies the T & A as a sexpot nurse who likes to tease her bedridden patient. In a supporting role is film director Greydon Clark ("Without Warning"), who co-wrote the picture with Danton and Mikel Angel.This movie is "good" fun, although it does lead to a pretty horrific finale.Seven out of 10.
Witchfinder General 666
"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.
PIMannix
Decent performances by a cast of familiar TV faces enliven this routine horror yarn about a mental patient (Hutton), hospitalized for a murder he didn't commit, who learns astral projection, and uses his new powers to bump off the people he holds responsible for his arrest, his mother's death while he was imprisoned, and the price of meat! One of the murders is unwisely played for comic relief, and Hutton's monster makeup at the end makes him resemble Michael Sarrazin on a five-day bender.
