Discopathe (2013) User Reviews

Sound proof

[kosmasp · 6/10 · 21 August 2017]

Sometimes it is better to be deaf, but more on that later. Let's take the positive things first. We're talking about great technical aspects surrounding this movie. The camera work is exceptional, the lighting is really good. The overall quality is way better than some other similar low budget efforts. Someone had a vision and that vision came to life in quite some fashion.

Having said that, the movie also has some issues. It pays homage to "old" horror movies. Just the fact it's playing in the Disco era (hence the title and the music, both fitting) alone should be a giveaway. And it's not a bad thing, it's just that sometimes there are bumps and quite a few hiccups along the way. If the story was a tight as the look of the movie, we could have had a real winner. And while some of it is done on purpose (or as a tribute to the movies this was inspired by), you'd wish they'd have spent a bit more time on the script ...

Fails to convince

[robertemerald · 5/10 · 24 March 2020]

There's some good music in Discopath, mostly electronic rather than disco, but early on we are introduced to the 'trigger' piece that sets the psycho off, and unfortunately it is repeated way too often. The problem is that this piece is better suited to a cartoon than a horror movie. I saw that the filmmaker was trying to fashion a homage to Italian melodrama early on, even before I read the blurb on the back of the dvd. This is achieved I guess, but what is not achieved is actual horror. At no point was there any tension and definitely nothing spooky. Like a bad Tarantino imitation the movie relies on shock value, basically, slash and blood, etc. Despite the story and script being something a 16 year old might of dreamed up, Discopath still had sufficient force to see me through to the end. That's basically down to the filming itself, the costume department and the prettiness of all the girls. In regard to the horror, there are some classic images here and there. Then again there are some dumb ones too. The worst of it all was the 1970s' version of the cops, and although intentional I suspect, it was woeful, both the acting and the story. I'm sorry, much as I enjoyed this attempt at period horror drama, I doubt many others will.

Okay...

[joris-nightwalker · 6/10 · 5 January 2015]

A Canadian slasher movie that resembles films like Cruising, Maniac and Dernière Séance. This serial killer gets crazy upon hearing disco music. As soon as the first tunes reach his eardrums, his eyes turn black and he gets in a killing trance (triggered by some childhood trauma). Although Discopathe is an atmospheric picture with some truly interesting and horrific moments, it couldn't ever grab me by the throat, nor scare me at any time. I suppose this movie hasn't got the intention to shock, but more to generate a dismal vibe like Dernière Séance and 1970s feeling like Cruising. This is definitely something for aficionado's and exactly therein lies its charm. It just didn't work for me this time.

Horror Trash with a 70ies flair - Comedy?

[dschmeding · 3/10 · 1 May 2014]

Now that was a disappointment. The whole plot of this movie is rather ridiculous. From the opening you know this is a low budget production because the acting and dialog are really bad. its often hard to know if this movie is meant serious or funny. I expected the latter because a psycho killer and 70ies disco victims sound like a fun ride. As soon as they used flashbacks to explain the childhood trauma of the guy I was out because that just must be the dumbest thing i have ever seen. The cops remind me of the Beastie Boys "Sabotage" Music Video... fake haircuts, mustaches and acting all over the place. After all this is a really trashy tribute to old horror movies, kind of a funny homage that fails to deliver the fun which just leaves some gory kills. And for todays standard these just don't keep the movie afloat. Editing is often atrocious and really... there is just too little disco in this movie. When I hear a totally misplaced Wilhelm's scream at the end of the movie I know this was supposed to be funny but either i did not get it or the movie makers failed to deliver. Either way... don't waste your time.

The 70s were never like this - thankfully

[mjsreg · 2/10 · 11 April 2015]

When I started watching this I thought I was in for a treat. A good horror (from the reviews), decent music, and lots of great memories of the 70s.

None of those 'treats' came along.

The story of this movie is OK, but the 'horror' part of the film is missing. It's almost a comedy - but its not funny. In fact, it is awful.

A few 'effects' obviously using dummies and some dodgy cardboard.

The film makers manage to replicate the 70s quite well at the beginning of the film - especially the very beautiful dark haired skater girl - the kind of girl I used to chase after in my teenage years - but they missed some attention to detail.

The movie starts in English then switched to French, so be warned if you are not fortunate to be bilingual or able to read subtitles.

Jérémie Earp-Lavergne gives a very poor performance as the lead character. Nothing much more to be said about his acting really.

I'd say one to miss and leave on the shelf.

Screamfest? More like Snoozefest

[Seth_Rogue_One · 3/10 · 9 April 2015]

With a movie named Discopath which is a humorous mix of the words Disco and Psychopath, cause Discomusic really turns the lead into a full-blooded psychopath. You would expect at least some kind of humor in the movie, but no, you would be wrong.

Completely humor-free with the exceptions of a little humor towards the end but by then it's a little too late.

Overall pretty amateurish filmmaking with not much positive to say about it.

Well okay some of the songs on the soundtrack is pretty good, and was surprised they managed to get "Boogeyman" and "I Was Made For Loving You" in the movie, but that's the only surprise this movie will give you.

And it doesn't help that 50% of the movie focuses on some highly uninteresting cops; one with a bad blonde wig investigating the dead bodies the Discopath leaves behind.

Great, groovy and gory!

[mungflesh · 7/10 · 27 October 2013]

Discopathe tells the story of a young man whose childhood is traumatized by an incident involving Disco music. Since that time he cannot bear to listen to this music and even becomes a psychotic killer when exposed to its groovy bass lines and pumping bass drum.

Okay, it's all a bit silly really but with that in mind, this movie is such a cool load of fun.

Exploitation genre fans of stuff like Maniac, Tenebrae and The New York Ripper are likely to find much to enjoy in this tongue-in-cheek gore fest. When it gets gruesome, it ticks the splatter box pretty well so that hardened gore hounds can get their fix, yet it manages to keep the mood light, unlike the movies which it pays homage to.

The language switch halfway through the film is a bit jarring for the English speaking viewer, as the film kind of presses a reset button but it manages to regain pace fairly quickly and get back on track. Unlike many films these days, it has a very satisfying ending.

If you really can't stand disco music, this film might get a bit tedious, with the soundtrack being truly awash with the stuff but personally, I thought it was its beating heart.

If in recent years you have enjoyed the likes of Hatchet, House of the Devil and Planet Terror which look back fondly on the golden era of splatter, then this one will probably join those on your list. I'm not too sure if it is likely appeal to the rest of the movie-going public but then I don't think director Renaud Gauthier would care that much.

He certainly wears his heart on his sleeve for Discopathe.

Excellent Hidden Gem Horror Film From Canada

[gregsrants · 7/10 · 1 September 2014]

Music speaks to us all. But when music speaks to Duane Lewis (Jérémie Earp-Lavergne) he transforms into a serial killer whose murderous trail of blood can be found on both sides of the 49th parallel.

On the surface, Duane looks like your average young man growing up in the discocentric mid-1970's. But a childhood event (seen later in flashbacks) underline why Duane has psychotic snaps in the presence of disco music leading to his murderous ways. His serial killer instincts are so violent in nature that bodies are dismembered and mutilated beyond recognition.

On Duane's trail are both detectives from New York City and Montreal where Duane has taken up residence after fleeing the United States after a brutal slaying at a local Discotheque. Always one step behind, Duane seems unstoppable during his musically engaged rages. That is, until Duane reveals himself to the detectives leading to a climax that is an unpredictable as it is enjoyable.

Discopath is directed by Renaud Gauthier who marked his directorial debut with this slick and fun horror film. A toe-tapping soundtrack which includes music from Kiss and KC & the Sunshine Band help lead to the authentic feel of the 70's and the violence goes from the grotesque such as the use of vinyl as a weapon to the graphically conclusion to a car chase during a funeral procession.

Discopath switches languages when the action switches to Montreal which may dismay anyone who groans when having to read subtitles. But the effect only personifies the authenticity of the environment and setting that Gauthier has constructed from his own screenplay.

A few dialogue lapses and questionable casting choices for a few of the side characters are the only drawbacks in an otherwise highly recommended hidden gem that we bet disco balls many of our readers have not heard of prior to this introduction.

Upon a second viewing, we believe strongly that had Discopath been released theatrically in the late 1970's or early 80's it would easily have become kin to other revered Canadian horror films such as Black Christmas, Prom Night and Happy Birthday to Me.

As an elder statesman in 2014 I can still confirm that Disco Sucks. But Discopath does everything but.

www.killerreviews.com

HA-HA-Ha-ha (try) staying alive!

[Coventry · 8/10 · 10 April 2014]

It's truly a joy and relief to know that somewhere in this world (in Canada, apparently) some people are still making refreshing and creative new horror movies! "Discopathe" is a highly original, tongue-in-cheek and clumsy - although I'm sure that's intentional – low budgeted slasher flick that put a giant smile on my face from start to finish. Writer/director Renaud Gauthier (you can also spot him in a delicious cameo appearance as the protagonist's father) thought up a plot that is quite insane and simplistic but the setting, atmosphere and particularly the grotesque make-up effects form a downright terrific homage to the rancid and nasty exploitation horror flicks from the late 70's and early 80's. Duane Lewis is a handsome twenty-something New Yorker, but he has one major problem. The sound of disco music causes him to go out of his mind and turns him into a maniacal killer. Unfortunately for him, disco is something nearly impossible to avoid in the year 1976, especially when sexy Rollerblades-girls practically force him to go out clubbing. After having committed a gruesome murder, Duane flees to Montréal and inconspicuously hides himself as a caretaker in a catholic all-girl boarding school. But even here in this supposedly secure environment, Duane is again confronted with lewd disco-loving girls and his homicidal tendencies rapidly come back to the surface… bigger and nastier than ever! The violence as well as the killer's hateful facial expressions of "Discopathe" will instantly remind genre connoisseurs of all those gloriously controversial misogynic slashers from several decades ago ("Maniac", "Don't go in the House", "New York Ripper"…) but the subject matter here is light-headed and much easier to digest. I realize there might be something seriously wrong with me, but I thought it was brilliantly amusing and nostalgic to witness a crazed killer hack up and mutilate the corpse of a young girl with broken 7 inch records! Renaud Gauthier also included several obligatory but marvelously clichéd sub plots, like lesbian experimenting and perverted priests within the boarding school's walls, obsessive coppers with porno movie mustaches and the ludicrous childhood trauma. And then last but not least, of course, there is the sensational and aptly selected soundtrack. The great, exhilarating music makes the film's relatively short running time fly by even faster and several tunes are guaranteed to remain stuck in your head. "Discopathe" is a more than welcome must-see slasher for real horror freaks.

Discopathic killer.

[HumanoidOfFlesh · 8/10 · 25 November 2014]

Duane Lewis(Jérémie Earp-Lavergne)is an awkward and very shy man who works in a burger joint.But this soft-spoken and slightly weird guy has murderous dark side:when he hears pulsating disco music he turns into savage and merciless slasher of young women.His first victim roller-skating girl is murdered in New York night club during disco number.Duane catches the first flight to Montreal and begins his next killing spree there.What I especially enjoyed in "Discopathe" is an obvious influence of 70's grindhouse exploitation cinema and low-budget slasher flicks like Joseph Ellison's "Don't Go in the House"(1980).The film is pretty bloody and sleazy,so I can't complain.The direction of Renaud Gauthier is quite good and the cinematography is splendid.There are some silly scenes in "Discopathe",but if you like your slasher movies cheesy and bloody you can't go wrong with this groovy slasher indie.8 discopathic killers out of 10.Lots of fun.

Gory and Groovy!

[yorgosmanolis · 9/10 · 19 October 2016]

Well, this is a very underrated film! I am so glad I stumbled across it. I just watched it and loved it! From beginning to end it did a great job at conveying a vintage authenticity. This is a rare bona fide homage. A great example is the kids that bring in the ghetto blaster to the shop. I felt like I watching a genuine 70s movie for a minute. My mind was telling me, wait, the quality is very modern and yet, it feels and looks so vintage (I rarely know anything about a movie I watch, apart from the genre - I prefer it that way). anyway, from then on, I was hooked! The attention to detail was excellent. They definitely knew what they were doing. The cast was very well chosen with a great main ensemble. On top of all that, great cinematography, effects (yikes!), editing, direction and score makes this really stand out for me. Definitely as good as It Follows. Believe me, if you consider yourself a true horror fan, you will love this film. I was a teenager in the 80s (I turned 12yo in 1984) and I know a thing or two about movies from that era. I hope there's a sequel! And please give us more homages!!