Martin (1977) ****

Martin (1977), George A. Romero's artsy, experimental psychological slasher, presents its titular character, a serial killer looking for human connection and believing himself to be a modern day vampire. 

Like Romero's Living Dead series, Martin is an excellent melding of social commentary and gory horror—touching on industrial decay, sexual violence, and malaise. As with his other '70s work, while there are flashes of humor, there is a profound sadness that permeates throughout. And as with Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange (1971), Romero does an expert job of coercing the audience into a complex relationship with Martin (wonderfully brought to life by John Amplas), a seriously disturbed individual with a warped sense of reality who commits terrible acts. 

I've seen the film at least three times now and this little low budget gem—simultaneously universal and deeply personal—gets better with each viewing.

Recommended for fans of Deathdream (1974) (review), Daughters Of Darkness (1971) (review), and Let The Right One In (2008).

George A. Romero Feature Films Ranked