Serial killer films are ripe for exploration.
Serial killer films can be an excellent method for psychological and cultural exploration. Mini-series’ like Dahmer use the real-life Jeffrey Dahmer murders to explore how crime grows due to the ignorance and racism/homophobia of the police department. Of course, movies like Maniac are less concerned with social commentary and more with just being disturbing through William Lustig’s psychological exploration of a deeply disturbed misogynist mind. The restored crime thriller, A Woman Kills, blends the two goals providing a topical serial killer thriller that’s brutally atmospheric and haunting.
A Woman Kills follows Louis Guilbeau (Claude Merlin), an executioner who investigates murders similar to the ones supposedly committed by a prostitute he executed. Director Jean-Denis Bonan was more interested in establishing mood than using a conventionally linear narrative, and he’s excellent at using his aggressive atmosphere to drive the story. The music ranges from chaotic jazz to industrial, highlighting Guilbeau’s paranoia. The monochrome, handheld cinematography accentuates the chaotic coldness of the Paris streets. The film’s style is reminiscent of Giallo, as Bonan stunningly uses his direction to forge a breathtakingly immersive the mystery.
Bonan highlights a number of the killer’s victims, giving them their own scenes describing who they are throughout the mystery itself. He’s excellent at providing the victims’ weight and personhood, making their deaths more meaningful and their lives less superfluous. Simultaneously, Bonan delves into the public and police reactions to the ongoing murders, building his atmosphere around the destabilization caused by the killer-induced paranoia. This effect, coupled with the indifference towards the victims for being prostitutes, allows the killer to run rampant. Despite the late 60s aesthetic, the film feels shockingly timely with its themes of paranoia and police negligence.
A Woman Kills is a fantastic find by Radiance Films. It’s brutal, chic, sleazy, and wild with all the style you’d expect from a French giallo picture. The timely subject matter will crossover mainstream audiences nervous about checking out a black & white 1960’s French thriller, and the unique style will hook fans of artsy foreign films. I believe in the importance of home releases, since it can encourage and assist with preserving lost films. I’m incredibly happy that Radiance Films excavated this film, so that it can no longer be lost to time. A Woman Kills is an excellent addition to any film collection.
A Woman Kills is now available on Blu Ray through Radiance Films.