Discopath

A Canadian slasher movie that resembles films like Cruising, Maniac and Dernière Séance. This serial killer gets crazy upon hearing disco music. As soon as the first tunes reach his eardrums, his eyes turn black and he gets in a killing trance (triggered by some childhood trauma). Although Discopathe is an atmospheric picture with some truly interesting and horrific moments, it couldn't ever grab me by the throat, nor scare me at any time. I suppose this movie hasn't got the intention to shock, but more to generate a dismal vibe like Dernière Séance and 1970s feeling like Cruising. This is definitely something for aficionado's and exactly therein lies its charm. It just didn't work for me this time.

Duane Lewis(Jérémie Earp-Lavergne)is an awkward and very shy man who works in a burger joint.But this soft-spoken and slightly weird guy has murderous dark side:when he hears pulsating disco music he turns into savage and merciless slasher of young women.His first victim roller-skating girl is murdered in New York night club during disco number.Duane catches the first flight to Montreal and begins his next killing spree there.What I especially enjoyed in "Discopathe" is an obvious influence of 70's grindhouse exploitation cinema and low-budget slasher flicks like Joseph Ellison's "Don't Go in the House"(1980).The film is pretty bloody and sleazy,so I can't complain.The direction of Renaud Gauthier is quite good and the cinematography is splendid.There are some silly scenes in "Discopathe",but if you like your slasher movies cheesy and bloody you can't go wrong with this groovy slasher indie.8 discopathic killers out of 10.Lots of fun.

With a movie named Discopath which is a humorous mix of the words Disco and Psychopath, cause Discomusic really turns the lead into a full-blooded psychopath. You would expect at least some kind of humor in the movie, but no, you would be wrong.

Completely humor-free with the exceptions of a little humor towards the end but by then it's a little too late.

Overall pretty amateurish filmmaking with not much positive to say about it.

Well okay some of the songs on the soundtrack is pretty good, and was surprised they managed to get "Boogeyman" and "I Was Made For Loving You" in the movie, but that's the only surprise this movie will give you.

And it doesn't help that 50% of the movie focuses on some highly uninteresting cops; one with a bad blonde wig investigating the dead bodies the Discopath leaves behind.

When I started watching this I thought I was in for a treat. A good horror (from the reviews), decent music, and lots of great memories of the 70s.

None of those 'treats' came along.

The story of this movie is OK, but the 'horror' part of the film is missing. It's almost a comedy - but its not funny. In fact, it is awful.

A few 'effects' obviously using dummies and some dodgy cardboard.

The film makers manage to replicate the 70s quite well at the beginning of the film - especially the very beautiful dark haired skater girl - the kind of girl I used to chase after in my teenage years - but they missed some attention to detail.

The movie starts in English then switched to French, so be warned if you are not fortunate to be bilingual or able to read subtitles.

Jérémie Earp-Lavergne gives a very poor performance as the lead character. Nothing much more to be said about his acting really.

I'd say one to miss and leave on the shelf.

Music speaks to us all. But when music speaks to Duane Lewis (Jérémie Earp-Lavergne) he transforms into a serial killer whose murderous trail of blood can be found on both sides of the 49th parallel.

On the surface, Duane looks like your average young man growing up in the discocentric mid-1970's. But a childhood event (seen later in flashbacks) underline why Duane has psychotic snaps in the presence of disco music leading to his murderous ways. His serial killer instincts are so violent in nature that bodies are dismembered and mutilated beyond recognition.

On Duane's trail are both detectives from New York City and Montreal where Duane has taken up residence after fleeing the United States after a brutal slaying at a local Discotheque. Always one step behind, Duane seems unstoppable during his musically engaged rages. That is, until Duane reveals himself to the detectives leading to a climax that is an unpredictable as it is enjoyable.

Discopath is directed by Renaud Gauthier who marked his directorial debut with this slick and fun horror film. A toe-tapping soundtrack which includes music from Kiss and KC & the Sunshine Band help lead to the authentic feel of the 70's and the violence goes from the grotesque such as the use of vinyl as a weapon to the graphically conclusion to a car chase during a funeral procession.

Discopath switches languages when the action switches to Montreal which may dismay anyone who groans when having to read subtitles. But the effect only personifies the authenticity of the environment and setting that Gauthier has constructed from his own screenplay.

A few dialogue lapses and questionable casting choices for a few of the side characters are the only drawbacks in an otherwise highly recommended hidden gem that we bet disco balls many of our readers have not heard of prior to this introduction.

Upon a second viewing, we believe strongly that had Discopath been released theatrically in the late 1970's or early 80's it would easily have become kin to other revered Canadian horror films such as Black Christmas, Prom Night and Happy Birthday to Me.

As an elder statesman in 2014 I can still confirm that Disco Sucks. But Discopath does everything but.

www.killerreviews.com