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Tom Berenger, Billy Dee Williams, Jack Scalia, Melanie Griffith, Rossano Brazzi ... see more see more... , Rae Dawn Chong , Joe Santos , Jan Murray , Ola Ray , Maria Conchita Alonso , Vinny Argiro , Jim Boeke , Kendall Carly Browne , Emilia Crow , Daniel Faraldo , Juan Fernández , Michael Vincente Gazzo , Tracy Griffith , Bill Henderson , Brent Jennings , Janet Julian , Ben Kronen , Linda Lee , Emilia Lesniak , Madison Mason , Robert Miano , Joe Palese , Victor Rivers , Frank Ronzio , John Roselius , Carl Strano , Justin Derosa , Lori Eastside , Barbara Andrews , Sidney Filson , John Foster , Daryle Ann Lindley , Peter Mele , Bob Yothers , Pat Banta , Peter Gumeny , Nina Jones , Michael Joy , Joe Shea , Frank Sivero , William Kennedy

To paraphrase 1930s wit Wilson Mizner, Fear City is like a trip through a sewer in a glass-bottom boat. In exploitation-flick fashion, the film exposes the seedy "nether world" of contemporary Manhatt... read more read more...an. Unsavory Matt (Tom Berenger) and Nick (Jack Scalia) run a topless bar/booking agency, in direct competition with equally scuzzy Goldstein (Jan Murray). It's hard to imagine anyone lower than these low-lives until we're apprised of a serial killer who dutifully keeps a record of his murders in a diary. The killer's victims are all exotic dancers and hookers, prompting Matt to suspect that Goldstein is behind the crimes, and vice versa. Once they've decided that it's better to unite against a common enemy than to throw volleys at each other, Matt and Goldstein arrange between themselves to insure the safety of the women in their employ. Meanwhile, Matt's ex-girlfriend Loretta (Melanie Griffith), saddened by the murder of her lesbian lover Leila (Rae Dawn Chong), resumes her drug habit, while a dispirited Matt begins harking back to his own sordid past. The one redeeming aspect of Fear City is the ultimate triumph over the odds by Loretta, who by process of elimination emerges as the most likeable character in the bunch. For a film of this nature, Fear City boasts an unexpectedly strong cast, including the aforementioned actors and Billy Dee Williams, Rosanno Brazzi, Joe Santos and Michael V. Gazzo. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Flixster Users

30% liked it

1,522 ratings

Critics

71% liked it

7 critics

R, 1 hr. 36 min.

Directed by: Abel Ferrara

Release Date: January 1, 1984

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DVD Release Date: November 28, 2000

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Stats: 66 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (66)

  • jjnxn
    August 14, 2010
    jjnxn
    Highlighted in the book "Bad Movies We Love" which is just the place for it and an apt description.Super cheesy mid 80's crime drama played straight but good for many unintentional laughs. Cast full of B actors this "suspense" thriller is full of dialogue that will have you laugh... read moreing out loud especially since it is said in deadly earnest. Berenger is a decent actor and gives the best performance, not that the bar has been set too high here. Melaine is horrendously bad. The opening and closing title sequences including the music are classic examples of 80's techno-pop excess, that does however contribute to the squalid, trash wallow feeling of the entire enterprise. This is only for when you're in the mood for a guilty pleasure viewing experience.
  • deano
    April 14, 2007
    deano
    Above average thriller about a psychopath killing prostitutes in New York City. Some good performances and action sequences still can't save this one.
  • cacutshaw
    November 19, 2007
    cacutshaw
    Ferrara sleaze, plain and simple, but what great sleaze it is! Two co-owners of a strip bar decide to hunt down a serial killer who's been offing their employees. This is great stuff for those who are grindhouse fans, and I don't mean that friggin' Rodreguez and Tarantino shith... read moreeap.
  • kingmob6
    January 11, 2012
    kingmob6
    Sleazy, ridiculous and over the top at varying turns, this one is so much fun.

    A nameless asshole is killing hookers in NYC for reasons that are never made clear; he's just a martial arts enthusiast asshole who wants to torment and murder women who are less than half his size,... read more which makes the attacks look all the more ridiculous.

    Not for all tastes I'm sure, but I would highly recommend this one.
  • dukeakasmudge
    January 27, 2011
    dukeakasmudge
    Not a good movie at all! I think the best part of this movie was the final fight between The good guy boxer Tom Berenger & The evil Pyschotic Karate master.Oh yeah & Billy Dee Williams hair! Colt 45!!!
  • jimdand
    November 30, 2010
    jimdand
    A good thriller movie. Might be "dated" but still good.

    An intersting question: The "slasher" in the movie is John Foster, who was not an actor, but a martial arts expert.

    I often wonder how such "other tough guys" such as Dolph Lundgren, Arnold, van Damme Segal and others... read more made it --- while Foster didn't. He is far more attractive than (the others), has a body on loan to him from a Greek God, and is very convincing in his portrayal.

    The question begs: "Just why do some guys make it -- and others don't?"

    "Arnold isn't, with his ridicuolous Austrian accent", van Damme isn't, with his French accent, neither Dolph (Dolf?) nor Segal are exactly "box office" faces. So --- what happened to John Foster and his career?

    Not gay ---- just wondering if anyone knows just HOW Hollywood works, and who knows what the bio of John Foster is? In short, why do some guys or gals make it --- and others (far more believeable and talented, don't).

    Regards, jimdand
  • rageofsadako2008
    January 15, 2010
    rageofsadako2008
    A weird soup: this is what would happen if you crossed the gritty early 80s New York flavor of Ferrara's 'Ms. 45' with the 'American Ninja' movies. Basically, a ninja/martial arts guy is murdering Tom Berenger's strippers and it's up to him to stop the killing before Billy Dee Wi... read morelliams puts him in the slammer. I think Ms. 45 v. ninjas would've been a better idea for a flick, but this wasn't a bad deal.
  • jeffman52001
    May 5, 2007
    jeffman52001
    I like this film, it has some interesting moments and the film has a great cast. A psychopath is at large, stalking and murdering strippers. A former boxer is now a P.I. investigating the murders. A great suspence thriller from 1984.

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Critic Reviews

Jeffrey M. Anderson
June 6, 2008
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

Ferrara lets his presence be known by lingering on the more gruesome moments, when lesser directors would shy away. Full Review

Nick Schager
April 13, 2006
Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness

Has a bitterness and cynicism that's grimily, perversely romantic. Full Review

Clint Morris
March 18, 2006
Clint Morris, Moviehole

A city that comes alive with vibrant performances and engaging characters

Dennis Schwartz
June 17, 2002
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Hit-or-miss cult director Abel Ferrara missed by a city mile on this one. Full Review

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Chuck O'Leary
October 21, 2005
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily

No review available.

Emanuel Levy
July 6, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Philip Martin
July 30, 2002
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

No review available.

May 24, 2003
Film4

Click to read the article Full Review

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Fear City Trivia

  • what actor links these movies, sin city, fear and loathing in las vegas, traffic and the hunted  Answer »
  • I have starred in the movies: The Way Of The Gun, Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas, The Hunted, and Sin City who am I?  Answer »
  • Which US city: "Leaving ......." "Fear and Loathing in ....."   Answer »
  • From which film are the following taglines associated? "If there was a trip to be taken, they were there" (Australian release) "Four Days, Three nights, Two Convertibles, One City" (US release)  Answer »
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