
Dressed to Kill
1980, Mystery and thriller, 1h 45m
51 Reviews 10,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
With arresting visuals and an engrossingly lurid mystery, Dressed to Kill stylishly encapsulates writer-director Brian De Palma's signature strengths. Read critic reviews
You might also like
Where to watch
Dressed to Kill Videos
Dressed to Kill Photos
Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Doctor Robert Elliott
Kate Miller
Liz Blake
Peter Miller
Detective Marino
Dr. Levy
News & Interviews for Dressed to Kill
Critic Reviews for Dressed to Kill
All Critics (51) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (41) | Rotten (10)
-
Dressed To Kill is a nail-biting, seat-squirming, stylish murder mystery with a brain.
April 28, 2018 | Full Review… -
Originality has never been a high value in the genre-bound aesthetic of filmmaking, but De Palma cheapens what he steals.
September 26, 2007 | Full Review… -
Despite some major structural weaknesses, the cannily manipulated combination of mystery, gore and kinky sex adds up to a slick commercial package.
September 26, 2007 | Full Review… -
Inflates paperback pulp psychology into something like a plot, all the better to demonstrate that filmmaking is an inherently visual storytelling.
September 2, 2006 | Rating: 4/4 | Full Review… -
Ultimately, the film amounts to little more than a consummate study of suspense technique, all dressed up with nowhere to go.
January 26, 2006 | Full Review… -
DePalma is not yet an artist of Hitchcock's stature, but he does earn the right to a comparison.
October 23, 2004 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for Dressed to Kill
-
Sep 17, 2017Is 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, 2014Well 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, 2014One 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, 2013It'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
Dressed to Kill Quotes
Detective Marino: | Well look Miss.. Miss Blake, you're gonna save me a lot of trouble by finding this, this Ted from out of town and getting him in town and downtown and in here to sign this statement as to exactly what he saw and when he saw it. |
Liz Blake: | How the hell am I supposed to know where he is? |
Detective Marino: | Well if you can't find him I sure can't. And anyway, you got a lot better motivation than I do: your ass. |
Detective Marino: | So what were you doing there? [at the hotel] |
Detective Marino: | So what were you doing there? |
Liz Blake: | I had a job. |
Detective Marino: | Who? |
Liz Blake: | You want me to get in trouble don't you? |
Movie & TV guides
About Tomatometer
The percentage of Approved Tomatometer Critics who have given this movie a positive review
About Audience Score
The percentage of users who rated this 3.5 stars or higher.
Verified