Serial killers on film present an irresistible combination of thrills and chills. Picking out five of the best, even after leaving out the slasher sub-genre, was a tough call.
Psycho (1960)
Alfred Hitchcock’s film gave a whole new meaning to “wouldn’t even hurt a fly.”
Anthony Perkins as the mild-mannered Norman Bates, Janet Leigh’s sudden and horrific exit, the drain-to-eye dissolve and the surprise ending came together to create the perfect shocker.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Based on Thomas Harris novel of the same name, TheSilence of the Lambs by winning the big five at the Oscars (picture, director, actor, actress and adapted screenplay) was a game changer in the genre. The relationship between rookie FBI agent Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) and Anthony Hopkins as the cannibalistic Hannibal Lecter was as fascinating as the hunt for the serial killer, Buffalo Bill.
Basic Instinct (1992)
Is Catherine Tramell a serial killer? Are you going to arrest me for calling her one? Directed by Paul Verhoeven, Basic Instinct was in the news for its graphic content (remember the interrogation scene), the smoking and depiction of homosexual relationships. The film follows coke-addicted cop Nick Curran (Michael Douglas) as he tracks the killer of a rockstar. The chief suspect is the enigmatic writer Tramell (Sharon Stone).
The Cell (2000)
Critics felt the film was similar to The Silence of the Lambs and favoured style over content — what style though! Tarsem Singh made his debut with this film where Jennifer Lopez plays a psychologist entering a serial killer’s mind to find his last victim.
Khamosh (1985)
Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s whodunit is set in beautiful Pahalgam in Kashmir. As a film crew are shooting, life imitates art and cast and crew are killed. Is it jealousy, suicide, murder for gain or is there an unhinged killer on the loose? The film starring Soni Razdan, Naseeruddin Shah, Amol Palekar and Shabana Azmi was a perfect little gem.
