Dressed to Kill

Critics Consensus

With arresting visuals and an engrossingly lurid mystery, Dressed to Kill stylishly encapsulates writer-director Brian De Palma's signature strengths.

80%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 50

74%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 10,587

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Movie Info

When Liz Blake (Nancy Allen), a prostitute, sees a mysterious woman brutally slay homemaker Kate Miller (Angie Dickinson), she finds herself trapped in a dangerous situation. While the police think Liz is the murderer, the real killer wants to silence the crime's only witness. Only Kate's inventor son, Peter (Keith Gordon), believes Liz. Peter and Liz team up to find the real culprit, who has an unexpected means of hiding her identity and an even more surprising motivation to kill.
  • Rating:
    R
  • Genre:
    mystery and thriller
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Brian De Palma
  • Producer:
    George Litto
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Filmways Pictures
  • Sound Mix:
    Mono
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Scope (2.35:1)

Cast & Crew

Michael Caine
Doctor Robert Elliott
Angie Dickinson
Kate Miller
Nancy Allen
Liz Blake
Keith Gordon
Peter Miller
Dennis Franz
Detective Marino
David Margulies
Dr. Levy
Ken Baker
Warren Lockman
Brandon Maggart
Cleveland Sam
Susanna Clemm
Betty Luce
Fred Weber
Mike Miller
Brian De Palma
Director
Brian De Palma
Writer
Samuel Z. Arkoff
Executive Producer
Fred C. Caruso
Associate Producer
George Litto
Producer
Pino Donaggio
Original Music
Ralf D. Bode
Cinematographer
Gerald B. Greenberg
Film Editor
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Critic Reviews for Dressed to Kill

All Critics (50) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (40) | Rotten (10)

View All Critic Reviews (50)

Audience Reviews for Dressed to Kill

  • Sep 17, 2017
    Is restraint classy in and of itself? Writer/director DePalma's blatant steal from Hitchcock's 'Psycho' has the feel of a film student copying his hero, only without the restraints of his hero's time period, which, it could be argued, lent a modicum of subtlety to the proceedings (even if the conversation was about tawdry sex and murder). DePalma's copy says "damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead, let's get kinky!" You'll have to be the judge as to whether or not this version crosses the boundaries of your decency. What is here is watchable but has the feel of a frat party gone on too long for me, which some may still enjoy. Fans of the Master will guess the killer as soon as he's introduced.
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
  • Jul 24, 2014
    Well executed thriller with horror and drama elements, Dressed to Kill is an engaging film with a good cast of actors and well thought out characters. I felt that the film was expertly directed by Brian De Palma who always seems to make some standout, taught, riveting pictures. Well, that is very much the case. Dressed to Kill is a well made movie, one that boasts an impressive story, which grabs your attention from start to finish. Fans of De Palma's work will surely enjoy this, and if you're looking for a tense, memorable thriller, Dressed to Kill is worth your time. While using a straight to the point approach to the way he tells history, De Palma manages to make a very good film, a film that succeeds at delivering thrills right from the moment it starts. As a thriller, Dressed to Kill is a fine example of one that gets it right, it steadily unfold before your eyes, an unravels its plot in a way that keeps you interested and add to that a great cast, and you have a film that is quite memorable in the long run. De Palma's work, I find is quite unique, and his style is mesmerizing and he has brought something quite worthwhile in the cinema. Dressed to Kill is among his best films, a well acted film that boasts some thrilling moments. The film is a genre classic, one that is a well crafted thriller and even with its weaker moments, still has enough good elements to make this a highly entertaining film.
    Alex r Super Reviewer
  • Feb 16, 2014
    One of the most enjoyable erotic thrillers that borrowed much from the Hitchcok style. I love the use of mirrors in the film, made all the suspense scarier than ever. I cringed so many times because I know bad things are coming on to the characters but I was just not sure when. The imagery was beautiful, acting was brilliant. The killer was a bit too easy to guess once we know the killer is a transvestite. It's a must see for anyone that interested in the revival of the genre.
    Sylvester K Super Reviewer
  • Nov 30, 2013
    It's a little too derivative of Psycho, but Dressed to Kill is a consistently creepy and suspenseful thriller that's sleazy and excessive in just the right way to make it a bloody good time.
    Joey S Super Reviewer
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