A pretty straightforward tale of two psychopaths with an unfettered hatred of women combining to form a deadly partnership, in a decade where there seemed to be a serial killer in every American state. There are some grisly moments, but mostly the attention is on the relationship between Bianchi as a soft spoken momma's boy with an explosive temper and his cousin Buono, a sex-obsessed redneck who initiates the first killing.
Together, they were responsible for some truly horrendous slayings, and they were only caught when the gruesome twosome temporarily split and Bianchi decided to go solo on his next two murders. Without the help of his buddy, he left many clues and was swiftly arrested, implicating Buono during interrogation. Both got life sentences, and Buono died in 2002 of a heart condition. Bianchi was refused parole in 2010, and his next date isn't due until 2025. Let's see how that goes...
Eerily watchable from the off, seeing this pair of freaks stalk their prey before pouncing is an unsettling experience. Strangely, neither perpetrator seems capable of such shocking violence during everyday life... Buono especially is almost comical with his childish threats, insults and delusions of grandeur. But then one of them says he has to "blow off some steam" and that's the signal for the two to climb into a car and go "cruising" e.g selecting the next future corpse...
The cast all embody their roles, and special mention for the actresses who play the unfortunate victims. It can't be fun, working longs days trussed up like a turkey with your mouth gagged. Some of it may differ from the real case, but what's here is compelling stuff, if slightly undemanding. Don't expect great art, and you'll have a good, if a bit queasy, time... 6/10
Together, they were responsible for some truly horrendous slayings, and they were only caught when the gruesome twosome temporarily split and Bianchi decided to go solo on his next two murders. Without the help of his buddy, he left many clues and was swiftly arrested, implicating Buono during interrogation. Both got life sentences, and Buono died in 2002 of a heart condition. Bianchi was refused parole in 2010, and his next date isn't due until 2025. Let's see how that goes...
Eerily watchable from the off, seeing this pair of freaks stalk their prey before pouncing is an unsettling experience. Strangely, neither perpetrator seems capable of such shocking violence during everyday life... Buono especially is almost comical with his childish threats, insults and delusions of grandeur. But then one of them says he has to "blow off some steam" and that's the signal for the two to climb into a car and go "cruising" e.g selecting the next future corpse...
The cast all embody their roles, and special mention for the actresses who play the unfortunate victims. It can't be fun, working longs days trussed up like a turkey with your mouth gagged. Some of it may differ from the real case, but what's here is compelling stuff, if slightly undemanding. Don't expect great art, and you'll have a good, if a bit queasy, time... 6/10