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Shirley Stoler, Tony Lo Bianco, Dortha Duckworth, Doris Roberts, Marilyn Chris ... see more see more... , Mary Jane Higbee , Kip McArdle , Mary Breen , Barbara Cason , Elsa Raven , Guy Sorel , Michael Haley , William Adams , Ann Harris

Martha Beck (Shirley Stoler) is a lonely nurse who takes care of her invalid mother in Mobile, Alabama. Starved for affection, she places an ad in a lonely hearts column and soon receives a letter fro... read more read more...m Ray Fernandez (Tony LoBianco). He meets her and runs off with her dowry to New York City. Martha puts her mother in a nursing home and follows the handsome con artist. She agrees to pose as his sister as the two fleece lonely, unsuspecting women out of their money. Martha's jealousies of Ray's victims leads to murder. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, an elderly matron is killed and her child is drowned in a washing machine. Martha considers confessing to the police when she finally realizes Ray will never be true to her or any other woman. The story was taken from actual events, and the real-life couple were eventually executed in Sing Sing prison in 1951. The black-and-white photography adds an aura of authenticity to the documentary-style production. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

Flixster Users

67% liked it

2,197 ratings

Critics

94% liked it

18 critics

R, 1 hr. 43 min.

Directed by: Leonard Kastle

Release Date: January 1, 1970

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DVD Release Date: July 22, 2003

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Stats: 127 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (127)

  • LoughnerWasLucid
    June 30, 2011
    LoughnerWasLucid
    I live in a country where people will inform you that Pulp Fiction is action, American Psycho is horror, Eternal Sunshine is comedy, Donnie Darko is witty, and the Honeymoon Killers is drama. well, what was i supposed to expect? its pretty hilarious.
  • FilmFanatik
    February 27, 2010
    FilmFanatik
    Not particularly good.
  • ScoopOnline
    December 14, 2009
    ScoopOnline
    One of the most bizarre episodes in the annals of American Crime.
  • adammahler1
    May 6, 2009
    adammahler1
    wanted to see if I could figure out the handful of scenes Scorsese did; it's not subversive, like some people think, except that it's a horror movie that dislikes its audience as low culture, but ends up trying to please them intellectually; it's a conservative's horror film and ... read morea melodrama on the insecurity of love outside of normal/age-old institutions; camerawork is pretty good considering it looks like they had a shopping cart for a dolly
  • 76Majikat
    May 4, 2009
    76Majikat
    Based on the true story of Raymond Fernandez and Martha Beck (dubbed The Honeymoon Killers). Not every detail is completely accurate to the original story, however it appears to be a much more accurate portrayal than the later film released ?Lonely Hearts? (Salma Hayek and Jared... read more Leto).

    Shirley Stoler played her role well as she came across cold, calculating and insanely jealous.

    The quality of film appears to look older than it actually is and has a worn look in parts, it seems this is down to the very low budget involved in making the film. Having said that, you get used to the quality pretty fast and the interesting storyline emerges and is an interesting journey of two obsessed lovers on the road on a murdering rampage. .
  • mjgildea
    January 19, 2007
    mjgildea
    Even though it's kind of a low rent Bonnie and Clyde, it started off interesting enough, but the character of Martha really annoyed the piss out of me after a while. I heard Martin Scorsese was originally directing and it only had a budget of $150,000. Even though it fell short I... read more would really have loved to see what could have been.
  • KLFilmmaker
    January 13, 2010
    KLFilmmaker
    I heard Scorsese directed this for the first week before getting canned. Decent low-budget gem that still has moments that hold up today.
  • DrStrangeblog
    December 8, 2009
    DrStrangeblog
    Claims to be "fact-based" account of the con-artist couple known as The Lonely Hearts Killers during the 1940s, but only scratches the surface depicting two swindles and three murders, when they may have killed as many as twenty. Very low-budget look lends a very effective, seed... read morey atmosphere filmed in stark black-and-white. The murder sequences are very chilling. The criminal couple are truly awful human beings and spending 100 minutes in their company proves quite unpleasant, I might prefer watching an hourlong documentary on the History channel about their case instead. Would get more of the facts too.
  • zutron
    August 8, 2011
    zutron
    This movie would be right at home in todays murder of the week dramatizations. Does seem unusual for its time. Features a young Doris Roberts in a supporting role.
  • dukeakasmudge
    October 30, 2009
    dukeakasmudge
    Compared to Lonely Hearts this movie was a masterpiece.This is the movie Lonely Hearts shouldve been.

View All The Honeymoon Killers Reviews

Critic Reviews

Todd McCarthy
September 25, 2007
Todd McCarthy, Variety

Made with care, authenticity and attention to detail. Full Review

Roger Greenspun
May 9, 2005
Roger Greenspun, New York Times

It is one of the best and, curiously, most beautiful American movies in recent years. Full Review

Dave Kehr
January 1, 2000
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

Leonard Kastle brings a spare dignity and genuine depth of characterization to his exploitation subject. Full Review

Fernando F. Croce
November 24, 2009
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion

Kastle is a born filmmaker with an uncanny feeling for the startling close-up and the excruciating long-take Full Review

Kim Newman
September 25, 2007
Kim Newman, Empire Magazine

Shot in a grainy grey and white helps to give the film an amateurish and at the same time realistic feel, particularly as it's based on true events. With standout performances from Lo Bianco and Stole... Full Review

September 25, 2007
TV Guide's Movie Guide

The filmmakers have refused to romanticize the brutality of the criminals at the heart of the film. Full Review

Jake Euker
January 19, 2007
Jake Euker, F5 (Wichita, KS)

A pulp classic ranking near the top of its particular post-Hays Code, pre-MPAA moment. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
December 6, 2006
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Small in scale and realistic in style, this gritty picture, about a couple who murder lonelyhearts women, is charged with piercing intelligence and amazing intensity. Full Review

Cole Smithey
October 7, 2005
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com

Made in 1969, "The Honeymoon Killers" presaged elements of David Lynch's filmic approach, and clearly informed John McNaughton's similarly-themed stomach-churner film "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Kill... Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
April 3, 2004
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

A richly drawn disturbing film that never seemed exploitative. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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