Demented (1980) After suffering a traumatic sexual attack by four men, the mental health of a housewife (Sallee Young, Home Sweet Home) downward spirals until a break-in at her house causes her to snap and go on a killing spree. While not as gruesome as I Spit on Your Grave this movie is trying for the same revenge scenario, but the psychology behind the narrative (not to mention Young’s performance) is unconvincing. The final 30 minutes does offer some cheap, bloody thrills. C
The House That Jack Built (2018) Typically artsy but undeniably arresting viewing from Lars Von Trier, this chronicles 12 years in the life of a methodical serial killer (Matt Dillon) as he goes about slaughtering over 60 people in particularly gruesome ways. Although overlong (152 min. runtime) and a bit too heavy-handed with its psychoanalytical narration, this is good stuff with a particularly chilling and complex performance from Dillon and a visually impressive climax. This gets points for going to dark places most psychological thrillers wouldn’t dare to. Definitely not a film for everyone. B
X-Ray (1982) In order to keep her in the hospital, a killer falsifies the test results of a young woman (Barbi Benton) and murders anyone who comes into contact with her. Routine slasher flick with characters making stupid decisions – such as running passed an emergency exit and hiding behind a curtain to evade the killer – but it’s a polished production, features a likable character in Benton, and has some decent splatter. Just ignore the plot holes and you might enjoy yourself, especially during the bonkers climax. B–