The Driller Killer

The Driller Killer
Theatrical release poster
Directed byAbel Ferrara
Written byNicholas St. John
Produced byRochelle Weisberg
Starring
  • Abel Ferrara (as Jimmy Laine)
  • Carolyn Marz
  • Baybi Day
  • Harry Schultz
  • Alan Wynroth
CinematographyKen Kelsch
Edited by
  • Bonnie Constant
  • Michael Constant
  • Orlando Gallini
  • Abel Ferrara (as Jimmy Laine)
Music byJoseph Delia
Production
company
Navaron Films
Distributed byRochelle Films
Release date
  • June 15, 1979 (1979-06-15)
Running time
  • 96 minutes (theatrical release)
  • 101 (uncut)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The Driller Killer (also known as Driller Killer) is a 1979 American black comedy slasher film directed by Abel Ferrara and starring Ferrara (credited as Jimmy Laine), Carolyn Marz, Baybi Day, and Harry Schultz. The plot concerns Reno Miller, a struggling artist in New York City, turning insane from stress and killing derelicts with a power drill.

The film was particularly controversial in the United Kingdom, where the graphic cover art of its 1982 VHS release landed it on a list of "video nasties" that were banned under the Video Recordings Act 1984. An edited version was later granted an 18 certificate and released in 1999, and a full uncut version was approved by the BBFC in 2002. On 10 June 2010, it was re-released as video on demand (VOD). The film is now in the public domain.