THE DRILLER KILLER

• Director: Abel Ferrara
• Cast: Abel Ferrara (credited as Jimmy Laine), Carolyn Marz, Baybi Day 
• 1979 | Film: 96mins | USA | Subtitles | Event: 20:45 – 23:10 [18+]

“THE BLOOD RUNS IN RIVERS… AND THE DRILL KEEPS TEARING THROUGH FLESH AND BONE.” 

A struggling artist on the edge of insanity takes to the New York streets after dark.

Cult film night BAR TRASH continues with BANNED, an uncensored season of the Video Nasties.

Abel Ferrara’s THE DRILLER KILLER (1979) is a slice of NYC punk rock history, if not (quite) the film its notorious title makes it out to be. If there’s a way of grading films on the Video Nasties list for their perceived ‘quality’, THE DRILLER KILLER is one of the best, but it might be more helpful to think of reference points like TAXI DRIVER and REPULSION (with added blood, sleaze, lesbian sex, and loud music…). 

Having said that, THE DRILLER KILLER retains a feral power missing from many of the Nasties. For once, let’s let the BBFC sell its virtues: “Strong violence and associated gore includes characters being attacked and killed with an electric drill. One victim has a hole drilled into his forehead. Other issues include strong language (‘f**k’), a scene of moderate sexual activity, sexualised female breast nudity, and a skinned rabbit being butchered and mutilated with a knife” (BBFC). 

You’ll either want THE DRILLER KILLER in your life, or you won’t…

“THE DRILLER KILLER is not only significant as an Arthouse piece but is also the definitive punk rock horror movie… It is an uncomfortable watch at times, but only in the realistic and hard-hitting realities of city life and artistic frustration which it portrays.” (Colin McCracken, VHS Nasty: The Video Nasties) 

THE DRILLER KILLER was originally released in the UK in a cut version missing 54 seconds of material by arch video provocateurs Vipco before being banned under Section 1 of the Obscene Publications Act 1959 during the Video Nasties furore. The film was released fully uncut in 2002. 

Polite notice: We are showing the Theatrical Version of THE DRILLER KILLER fully uncensored with subtitles from the best available digital source. A slightly longer Pre-release Version (101min) is available on home video for all you completists out there. 

/// BAR TRASH is a celebration of cult and curious cinema, hosted by queer film fanatic, Token Homo. Films are served with themed drinks, introductions, intermissions, prize giveaways, and subtitles/captions where possible. Tickets from £3. Strictly adults 18+ only. Follow @tokenhomo on Instagram for news and updates. //