Deranged

Overlooked Masterpiece

written by

Aly Jay

A lot funnier than I remembered, but the sheer bleakness of the second half overshadows the humor. It reminds me of Texas Chain Saw Massacre in its vibe but also they’re both 1974 horror movies based on Ed Gein. While it may not be as engrossing as TCM, it leaves you with that same feeling of hopelessness. The ending is what stuck with me the most from my previous viewing. The finale is filmed in such a haunting way. Everything from when Ezra meets the waitress onward evokes dread. This is right up my alley (tho my taste is questionable). It mixes humor and horror in an interesting way. Much of the comedy seems intentional to me, filled with absurdity throughout. Deranged embodies that grimy 70s aesthetic. And Roberts Blossom as Ezra gives a fascinating, truly disturbed performance that reminds me of an even campier Nicolas Cage in Longlegs. Like Dead of Night (https://boxd.it/14HE),this is an often overlooked, bleak piece of 70s horror.