RATING: A-

DREAD presents a Crappy World Films/Dance On Productions/Laurelwood Pictures production. Directed by Chad Ferrin. Produced by Michael Conroy, Chad Ferrin, Jerry Irons, and Silvia Spross. Written by Timothy Croteau and Chuck Parello. Cinematography by Jeff Billings. Edited by Jahad Ferif. 

Stars Susan Priver, Max E. Williams, Brian Foyster, Silvia Spross, Elina Madison, Viktoriia Vlasenko, Chaney Crossfire, Jon Karyus, Joe Castro, Suzanne Sumner Ferry, and Curtis Steele.

The latest from Chad Ferrin brings us the story of a lonely nurse and the charismatic man who convinced her to help him commit a series of murders in 1980’s Los Angeles. 

Carol Bundy is a nurse who after leaving her abusive husband, had an affair with her landlord, an Australian national, Jack Murray. On New Year’s Eve as the 1980s was about to start, Carol bribes Jack’s wife $20,000 for her to leave him. Jack immediately ends it with Carol and kicks her out of the bar. It is there she meets Doug Clark, a very charismatic man and that night, the two start a very torrid relationship with the realization they share some very dark fantasies.

However, while Carol only dreams of them while being with Doug, she soon learns Doug actually acts them out. Doug has been killing random girls and he convinces Carol to join him in living the fantasies they long desire. At first, Carol is hesitant, but eventually she finds herself enthralled in the killings, even going as far as helping Doug collect “trophies” in the forms of the victims’ heads. Carol soon realizes she now has a chance to live one fantasy for revenge, but what will be the cost?

As of late, horror filmmaker Chad Ferrin has brought real-life horror in the form on true crime biopics about some of the lesser known serial killers in the United States. Ed Kemper and Dorothea (Puente) are two excellent films about the real-life counterparts while still adding that “horror” element that he is very well known for. His latest film takes us to the 1980 killing spree of Los Angeles’ “Sunset Strip Killers”, Carol Bundy and Doug Clark. 

Frequent Ferrin collaborator Susan Priver, who appeared in the previous films, shines in the role of Carol Bundy (1942-2003). She plays Carol as a very tortured character who had already endured so much, from an abusive marriage to a very tumultuous affair with her landlord Jack, played with such disdain at times by Brian Foyster. It is clear that Carol’s so broken that she can easily be manipulated and that’s exactly what happened when she meets Doug Clark. 

Max E. Williams is excellent in the role of the charismatic Doug Clark (1948-2023), who upon meeting Carol works his charm right away and leads to some very sensual scenes that at times borderlines on a dominant-submissive relationship. I have to say though, I had to laugh at times because Clark in the film resembled a world-renowned famous chef. I know it wasn’t the intention but it had me wondering at times. However, that doesn’t take away the fact that Williams does so well in the role as a psychotic killer who thrives on mixing sex with death. 

Joe Castro once again shines when it comes to the special effects department. While it starts with just random shootings, the horror element amps up when they add decapitations to the mix, which was a thing for Clark. Seeing Carol deliver the beheadings herself is quite surreal, especially when Doug is showing and motivating her to deliver the move to one of their victims. It just gets better and if you know the true story, you know how this is going to end. 

Sunset Strip Killers shows why Chad Ferrin continues to show why he is the go-to director for true crime biopics and once again, Susan Priver delivers in the lead role of one half of this killer duo. Max E. Williams is great showing the duality of charm and psychotic and Joe Castro delivers again in the SFX department. 

The film will debut on Demand on July 14 from DREAD.