DERANGED: CONFESSIONS OF A NECROPHILE [1974]

Enter the most lively world of carcasses in the Ed Gein-based film, DERANGED. Ezra Cobbs has spent the last fifteen years as a loyal, committed, loving son, tending to every want and need of his darling, but terribly crippled mother. Unfortunately, love isn’t enough to keep the breath in her lungs, and she perishes in bed with Ezra sitting beside her. Before her violent departure, she sternly advises Ezra to avoid all women, as they are evil, disease-bearing vermin…except for her longtime friend, Maureen Selby. Ezra is reluctant to meet Maureen at first, due to his demented view of females, impaired by his religious upbringing. The agony of loneliness conquers his sanity, and Ezra finally resorts to digging up his mother’s decaying body for company at home. His grave robbing urges only advance as he learns just how comforting the presence of rotting corpses can be. On his quest for further affection, Ezra feasts his eyes on the living; he starts hunting beautiful women to slaughter, embalm, and store in his home, beginning with his mom’s dear friend.

DERANGED is a somber, yet shockingly outrageous telling of notorious serial killer Ed Gein’s morbid crimes. The narrator of the film is an effective touch, introducing the audience to the story and cutting in throughout to provide background information regarding the heinous atrocities. The opening scene offers a crystal clear glimpse of what is to come in the remaining minutes: the whirlpool of raw emotion that death drags its helpless onlookers into, tastefully complemented by nonsensical conversation and a delightfully satisfying mess of blood. As the centerpiece, Roberts Blossom is one of the most believable actors to portray a schizoid on-screen. His mannerisms, facial expressions, and the look of undiluted madness that shines through his piercing blue eyes will certainly linger in your mind. The mournful tone of the film is relatively prominent, but the nuance of comedy undeniably elevates the mood and begs for repeated viewings. His family of decaying, blue-skinned cadavers is certainly a group worth meeting for dinner more than once, thanks in part to make-up effects by Tom Savini. DERANGED is a low-budget treasure, by far, and a must-see for Ed Gein aficionados.

Rating: 8/10

Directors: Jeff Gillen, Alan Ormsby [POPCORN]

Cast: Roberts Blossom, Cosette Lee, Leslie Carlson
Country: Canada|USA