The New York Ripper

Directed by legendary horror filmmaker Lucio Fulci, The New York Ripper from 1982 is an unforgettable foray into the realm of Italian giallo horror. The film presents a grim and gritty view of New York City during the era, providing a deliciously dark backdrop for this gruesome thrasher that is as memorable for its style as it is for its substance.

The protagonist of the film, Lieutenant Fred Williams, is played with world-weary determination by Jack Hedley. Williams is a hardened detective who is tasked with unraveling a string of horrific murders plaguing New York City. Women are being brutally murdered and mutilated by an elusive and sadistic killer, which the press has started calling "The New York Ripper." At the commencement, the film provides an incredibly multi-dimensional character in Williams, who finds himself personally involved in the nightmarish, sinister events unfolding on his watch, while his psyche begins to buckle under the immense pressure of his duty to solve the case and bring the killer to justice.

Psychopathic perpetrators and haunted detectives aren't anything new in the horror-thriller genre, but Fulci brings a level of grit and realism to The New York Ripper. The violence is uncompromising, in-your-face, and often grotesque in detail - not for the faint-hearted. It’s one of those films where the city itself is a character, its disturbing streets, and the unexplored dark corners add another level of spine-chilling dread.

Another key character in the storyline is Fay Majors, portrayed by Almanta Suska, a young woman who becomes inadvertently entangled in the killer's web of homicidal terror. Her performance, full of vulnerability and strength, coupled with the gruesomely detailed special effects and an eerie score, contributes immensely to the innate dread permeating every frame of this film.

Adding a unique twist to the plot is the killer’s chilling calling card – a demented, Donald Duck-type voice that is deployed in calls to taunt the detective and mystify the audience. The film toys with the usual tropes of horror and thriller genres while adding Fulci’s touch of vivid expressions to accentuate a sense of paranoia, fear, and spine-chilling dread. It’s a mix of classic giallo aesthetics with the atmospheric potency of an American slasher movie.

Howard Ross plays the role of Mickey Scellenda. His character is deeply unnerving and helps build the chilling world that Fulci aims to encapsulate in the movie. The strong performances by the cast collectively develop a chilling narrative that stays true to its horror roots while also venturing into the realms of intense thriller and dark mystery.

Masterfully shot by cinematographer Sergio Salvati, The New York Ripper is visually striking, allowing the grimy, somber aesthetics of New York City to take center stage. Fulci's deft direction and Salvati's breathtaking visual panoramas conjoin to give this film its fantastic visuals that are both brutally realistic and claustrophobically oppressive. The haunting score by Francesco De Masi further complements the visual aesthetic, amplifying the lingering unease and arousing tension.

Though the film initially didn't receive the recognition it deserved, largely due to its graphic violence and controversial tone, over time, it has grown into a cult classic and is revered in the horror genre for its unabashed portrayal of the human capacity for the morbid and macabre.

The movie is a brutal, bleak, and vivid experience that capitalizes on the edgy narrative and is buoyed by strong performances and Fulci's unflinching direction. While it is gory and in some instances, unnerving, there's an unshakable allure to The New York Ripper, which rests in Fulci's ability to blend atmospheric horror, chilling suspense, and shocking gore into a compelling cinematic experience.

The New York Ripper ultimately bears the hallmark of Lucio Fulci - its powerful visual style, matched with a potent blend of horror and thriller, is a testament to the Italian filmmaker's knack for creating provocative and haunting narratives truly worthy of their cult status. Though not for the easygoing viewer, for lovers of the horror-thriller genre, this film offers an unforgettable exploration of the darkest corners of human nature. Those who appreciate Fulci's knack for the brutally bizarre will find much to admire in The New York Ripper.