The "anti-Bonnie and Clyde," as described by the film's director Leonard Kastle. Who? Yeah, I never heard of him either. He made one movie and it's 1) a classic, 2) part of the Criterion Collection, and 3) one of François Truffaut's favorites. It was also a movie Martin Scorsese started to direct but was let go! So what is it? A low-budget, independent true crime story about a notorious team of con artists and killers. It has gorgeous black and white camerawork and excellent acting. It's creepy and original, and entirely gripping.
Martha Beck, an obese nurse who is desperately lonely, joins a "correspondence club" and finds a romantic pen pal in Ray Fernandez. Martha falls hard for Ray, and is intent on sticking with him even when she discovers he's a con man who seduces lonely single women, kills them and then takes their money. She poses as Ray's sister and joins Ray on a wild killing spree, fueled by her lingering concern that Ray will leave her for one of his marks.
Quick Stats
6.5
TMDB Rating
132
Votes
1h 48m
Runtime
—
Budget
—
Box Office
—
Return
Key Crew
DirectorLeonard Kastle
WriterLeonard Kastle
CinematographyOliver Wood
ComposerTom Dillinger
EditorRichard Brophy
Produced by
Roxanne CompanyAmerican International PicturesCinerama Releasing Corporation
Where to Watch
Streaming
HBO Max Amazon Channel
Criterion Channel
HBO MaxRent
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Fandango At HomeBuy
Amazon VideoApple TV StoreFandango At HomeSee more on TMDB → JustWatch
Critics & Reviews
1 featuredCast
Shirley Stoler
Martha
Tony Lo Bianco
Ray
M
Mary Jane Higby
Janet
Doris Roberts
Bunny
K
Kip McArdle
Delphine
Marilyn Chris
Myrtle
Dortha Duckworth
Mother
Barbara Cason
Evelyn
A
Ann Harris
Doris
M
Mary Breen
Rainelle
Elsa Raven
Matron
Mary Engel
Lucy
G
Guy Sorel
Mr. Dranoff
Michael Haley
Jackson
D
Diane Asselin
Severns
