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It's hard to imagine how this film gained its notorious status(especially in the UK). It is poorly shot(reflecting its miniscule budget) and is really no more violent than any other horror film. True, when the disgruntled artist Reno(played by first-time director Abel Ferrara) first goes on a rampage armed with a drill and 'porto-pak', the film does manage to touch a raw nerve, but soon it descends to laboriously-paced repetition and struggles to hold attention. Will be remembered as the debut feature of director Ferrara, who has since never been afraid to court controversy with films like Ms. 45 and Bad Lieutenant; and probably as one of the films that sparked off the 'Video Nasty' hysteria in the UK in the 1980's; but for little else. 4/10

I love that Buffalo painting. Love the high-pitched noises and experimental sounds. Love Reno. Love Tony Coca Cola & The Roosters. Love the squalid late 70's NYC setting. Love the pizza eating scene. Love the dialogue. Love practically everything about Driller Killer. Especially that Buffalo eye.

I'm someone who's not familiar with the British video nasties list or whatever that is. 'The Driller Killer' is not that nasty. Compared to it's slasher genre contemporaries 'The Driller Killer' is rather low with spurting blood and cut off limbs. It is Abel Ferrara's feature debut, although uneven and the low budged shines through in each frame, it shows his raw talent as a filmmaker. Ferrara himself plays the lead (not a bad job, actually) as a artist starting to lose his grip. Having hard time with finishing his painting, low on many and a fear to turn into a bum finally drives him into killing spree. Intriguing premise that is dragged down with uneven script and directing. 'The Driller Killer' is not gory enough to attract regular slasher fans, or deep enough to gain much appreciation from art-house crowd, but it definitely pleases hardcore Ferrara fans. Plus, it features cool backdrop into 1970' New York punk scene.