Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Five Women for the Killer Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 15, 2023

1974’s “5 Women for the Killer” wins an award for “Most Unappealing Premise,” asking viewers to embark on a tale about a serial killer who only targets pregnant women, mutilating their bodies in the process. It’s not exactly a popcorn-munching type of story, and there’s some relief that director Stelvio Massi (“Emergency Squad,” “Hunted City”) doesn’t go crazy visualizing such horrors, keeping things relatively tasteful with this giallo production, which is more of a soap opera than a hard-driving chiller featuring the slaughter of innocents. It’s not a riveting sit, but Massi captures some oddness well, and performances are committed, giving the picture something to connect to while a mystery is slowly tended to.

Giorgio (Francis Matthews) is a successful writer returning home from a business trip, concerned about his wife, Erika, who’s expecting a baby, experiencing some complications while trying to reunite with her husband. Giorgio is shocked when he arrives at his house, only to find Erika murdered and the baby left to be discovered. Distraught, the widower tries to piece things together, only to receive a second jolt when he learns he’s not capable of making a baby, newly exposed to the mystery of his wife’s life as an infertile man. Processing the information, trouble returns to Giorgio when a serial killer terrorizes the community, targeting pregnant women with extreme viciousness, leaving a special mark on their shredded bodies. A police inspector is one the case, questioning those involved in Erika’s life and those connected to new victims, with Giorgio placed on a list of potential suspects as he deals with family, friends, and acquaintances with ties to a local hospital.

“5 Women for the Killer” isn’t tame, but it could’ve been a lot worse. Massi is certainly attentive to the demands of exploitation, keeping the feature loaded with nudity and dangerous situations involving vulnerable female characters, handling the subgenre’s tastes in suffering with professionalism. There’s nothing about the endeavor that’s pleasant, but “5 Women for the Killer” isn’t quite as extreme as expected, with the story more interested in toxic relationships and perceived betrayals, at times going full-blown “General Hospital” as Giorgio is whacked by all the recent revelations and experiences in his life, left in a state of confusion as he reconsiders what he had with Erika.

Violence does come in the form of murder sequences, where a gloved killer stalks and eliminates pregnant victims, with most newly aware of their impending motherhood. It’s meant to shock, and Massi doesn’t really put in the time for extreme style, more interested in the screenplay’s surplus of characters, as suspects and red herrings crowd the feature, often without proper introductions. There’s a pediatrician handling a mistress, a race car driver, Erika’s brother, and a nanny helping Giorgio with the baby, but also happy to assist him in the bedroom. The whodunit factor isn’t strong, but “5 Women for the Killer” finds some inspiration in dangerous situations, and there’s a detective element as well to help stir the mystery.

Five Women for the Killer Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.39:1 aspect ratio) presentation is sourced from a 4K scan of a 35mm archival positive. The release also delivers the "never- on-video original theatrical cut" for fans. Detail explores skin surfaces, capturing differences in age, and clothing is fibrous. Interiors are open for study, with plenty of decorative additions in view, and exteriors remain dimensional. Color is capable, with stylish lighting delivering blazing reds. Period outfits secure deep primaries, and greenery is exact. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is film-like. Source has a few points of frame damage, and brief discoloration is noticeable.

Five Women for the Killer Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix secures clear dialogue exchanges, with the track not too rough with dubbing demands and behavioral extremes, but screaming fits do run a little harsh. Scoring carries adequate support and instrumentation, setting jazzy and suspenseful moods. Sound effects are blunt but appreciable.

Five Women for the Killer Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historians Eugenio Ercolani and Troy Howarth.

• "My Name is Howard" (20:11, HD) is an interview with actor Renato Rossini, who examines his early interest in getting big, working to become a strong man, helping him to start an acting career via time as a stuntman. The interviewee details the glory days of the Italian film industry, with plenty of work allowing him to rise in the ranks, collaborating with iconic directors such as Mario Bava and Lucio Fulci. Career highlights are shared, with Rossini working on many productions over the years. Talk turns to "5 Women for the Killer," including memories of director Stelvio Massi and co-stars, and the mood of the shoot is examined.

• "Working with Stelvio" (13:24, HD) is an interview with Luc Merenda, who collaborated with director Stelvio Massi on a few films, but not "5 Women for the Killer."

• "The Massi Touch" (24:57, HD) is an interview with Danilo Massi, son of "5 Women for the Killer" director, Stelvio Massi.

• "Five Women for a Giallo" (21:24, HD) is an interview with film historian Luigi Cozzi.

• "Cinematographers in Arms" (13:29, HD) is an appreciation piece with Roberto Girometti, who's listed as "cinematographer - friend of Stelvio Massi."

• Gore Inserts (1:12, SD) explore changes that were made to "5 Women for the Killer," examining graphic footage that was slapped on the movie during a re-edit of the picture.

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

Five Women for the Killer Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"5 Women for the Killer" remains in line with giallo entertainment, introducing horrors with bodily harm and an assortment of guilty characters, working its way to the reveal of one true murderer. The conclusion isn't a real head-slapper, but there's a nicely blunt resolution for the movie, with Massi hitting his points of guilt and ending the picture, delivering a sharp climax for a passably engaging chiller. Or at least one that doesn't go crazy with macabre elements, emerging as something mildly approachable with a plot that all but guarantees repulsion.