Dressed to Kill
Dressed to Kill

Dressed to Kill(1980)

The latest fashion in murder.

Imdb
7.00
56K Votes
Tmdb
6.96
1.1K Votes
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After witnessing a mysterious woman brutally slay a homemaker, prostitute Liz Blake finds herself trapped in a dangerous situation. While the police thinks she is the murderer, the real killer is intent on silencing her only witness.

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Infos

Runtime
105 minutes
Directed by
Brian De Palma
Written by

People Interested
7
People Finished
15

Release Status
Finished
Release Date
7/25/1980
Original Language
English
Origin Country
United States

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Reviews

aleks-predator
2 months ago
8
A Dark Horror Thriller with Michael Caine "Dressed to Kill" (1980) turned out to be a real discovery for me. I came across it while browsing films that had somehow found themselves recognized by such wildly different awards as the Saturn Awards, the Golden Raspberry Awards, and the Golden Globes. Despite that unusual mix of nominations, the film genuinely impressed me. It's tense, atmospheric, occasionally brutal, and remarkably well-crafted. The story pulls you in, while its visuals and emotional impact leave a lasting impression. The first thing worth highlighting is Michael Caine. His character is portrayed as a man with a past—reserved, intelligent, and almost frighteningly cold. Caine often plays a very different type of character in his later roles (especially in Christopher Nolan's films), but here he's younger, and his performance feels sharper and more tightly wound. You watch him without ever being completely sure what to believe. Everything seems straightforward on the surface, but the closer you look, the more questions arise. Throughout the film, I kept thinking that his performance alone maintained the suspense without needing a single word. The strong female performances are another major strength. Angie Dickinson and Nancy Allen add tremendous depth to the atmosphere. Their characters aren't just companions to the protagonist—they're fully realized individuals with their own motivations and fears. Both actresses have an excellent screen presence, and their interactions with Caine give the story genuine emotional weight. Their scenes together feel like a psychological duel—quiet, restrained, yet filled with tension. The entire film is built around a constant sense of unease. Director Brian De Palma achieves exactly what he sets out to do: a dark visual style, lingering anxiety, and a city that feels like a threat hanging over every scene. You never know where danger will come from or when it will strike—but you're certain it will. That constant uncertainty makes the experience all the more gripping. The film contains explicit scenes, but they're never included simply for shock value. Instead, they're part of its overall style, emphasizing both the vulnerability and the strength of the characters. There's nothing gratuitous or exploitative about them. They're handled thoughtfully and with a clear understanding of the genre. In "Dressed to Kill", these moments aren't about exposing bodies—they're about psychology and the fragility of human beings in the face of danger. By the time the credits roll, the film feels complete and boldly uncompromising in its own way. It's not an easy or particularly comforting watch, but it is honest and fearless. This is a psychological thriller that keeps its grip until the very end, supported by strong performances and an expertly sustained atmosphere. "Dressed to Kill" won't appeal to everyone, but for those who appreciate dark, suspenseful cinema, it hits the mark perfectly. 8 out of 10

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