Some years ago I stumbled across the story of serial killers Raymond M Fernandez and Martha J Beck, also known as the Lonely Hearts Killers. Two absolute morons who hunted down lonely women through personal ads, scammed them, and then murdered them.
I didn't realize at the time, when I was watching Alleluia, I was seeing the most recent version of their story. Then some years later I stumbled across the cult classic, The Honeymoon Killers, and that's when I realized ... oh. This is yet another movie about this disgusting couple.
Completely invested now, I had to watch all the films related to this insane story (admittedly, it makes for good horror drama). So here's my first movie rating list. Hope you enjoy!
At the time of this post, I could only find five films - please let me know if I missed one!
In order from Worse to Best - I present:
This was the last of the films I watched, and I am certain I didn't experience burnout - this was just Not Good. That said! If you're into film noir or just hard-talking detectives then you might want to give it at least one look. Now, while I did not like it, I will admit this film has a certain je ne sais quoi.
Certain aspects I particularly didn't care for, however, was just the blatant disregard for Martha's character. Here Beck is portrayed as a seductive femme fatale. Absolutely laughable. I lost it. I simply couldn't take anything serious about that, and maybe this is a little burnout talking. I feel I just know Beck's portrayal a little too well by the time I saw this film...
Additionally, things just got crowded and confusing with the detective talking over the movie (it was not working here), and the side characters' dramas seemed wildly out of place with their forced complexities (which felt quite dull at the same time).
With a star-studded cast - really surprised me - this very much Hollywoodized film clearly thought they could get away with whatever mess this was.
Best watched with a crowd. Pairs with whiskey on the rocks and pink cake. Here is where you can find it streaming.
This film opens with a murder/suicide. Which stopped me in my tracks. Wasn't prepared for that. I need answers.
Here we have a very of-the-era portrayal of a fast talking scumbag. Unlike the rest of the films, this one focuses heavily on Raymond's character, particularly at the beginning of the film.
This movie has no time to waste, at running under an hour, it dives right into these two scheming heart-breakers politely agreeing to do crime together. Not remotely brutal or disturbing, this is a decent film to cozy up to, for a classic movie night in.
In all, this portrayal of serial killers not very nice people is tame, reserved, and damn near almost quaint. They took a lot of liberties with this one. Recommended for non horror fans.
Best watched nestled under blankets. Pairs with ice tea and comfort food. You can find this film on the Internet Archive, or quite likely YouTube as well.
This film out of Mexico brings us back to the more traditional tale surrounding the "love" idiots. While, the film is good, quite good, it still wasn't my favorite. It's grimy though, and focuses nicely on the monsters they both are. I found it particularly poignant and well played that the film opens with Martha and her children.
Her children, by the way, who she just gave away to run away with a man (which Beck actually did). It always struck me how this isn't discussed more in their actual story. In this film we see a complicated and seriously damaged side of her emotions regarding leaving her children in a shelter and just walking away.
The two main characters are performed with horrifying brilliance and you can feel the desperation and total disconnect from reality, both individually and in-between them. Note, it did take me about a half hour to really get into this film, so be patient.
Best watched with your partner for a f*cked up movie night. Wear toupees, just for fun. Pairs with diner food and alcohol directly from an unlabeled bottle. Here is where you can find it streaming.
This was my introduction to these serial killers, and my oh my did this one blow me away! I was not okay, for a while, after watching this Belgium film. Not Okay!
And just get a load of this poster! [morbid and disturbing chef's kiss].
So we may have had some solid grit and grime in the Deep Crimson cringe binge festival, but this oversteps all the boundaries. Bloody, chaotic, and just totally maddening, this film focuses heavily on intoxicating and blinding obsession, and how very wrong it can get.
I have a lot more to say about this grotesque film. You can check out the full review here.
And here's where you can find it streaming.
This film feels like an infected open wound. It's putrid, depraved, obscene and the raw but calculating filming style just keeps ripping the wound at all corners, leaving you dripping in puss and sick. This is a truly unsettling film.
That it is portrayed with such brilliance, makes it all the more terrifying!
An intimate look at this couple's dynamics, particularly Martha's unraveling and Ray's manipulation, is a masterpiece to behold. This movie will live rent free in your head and haunt you just to disrupt your day. You've been warned.
According to IMDB, it is included as one of the top 100 Most Heart-Pounding American Movies (according to the American Film Institute's 2001 list). That tracks! This film also made my 8th Annual 50 Movies You May Have Missed List.
I don't have much else to say about this masterwork. Check it out, if you dare! Here's where you can find it streaming.
Stay tuned for more movie lists!
