So glad I came across this on TCM tonight. This was such a great movie. The acting was wonderful. I can't believe it's a true story, that is so terrible and scary! You should definitely watch this, it's pretty creepy.

A cinematic oddity heard of by few and seen by even fewer, The Honeymoon Killers is a landmark entry into the shockumentary genre.

This nasty bit of business about a deranged couple who murder women they target through lonely-hearts ads rivets even as it repels. It's kind of like sitting on a vinyl car seat when you're sweating and then feeling powerless to unstick yourself. It'... (read more) This nasty bit of business about a deranged couple who murder women they target through lonely-hearts ads rivets even as it repels. It's kind of like sitting on a vinyl car seat when you're sweating and then feeling powerless to unstick yourself. It's a weird, uneven film with extremely poor sound quality (I was a bit shocked, considering that Criterion released it; maybe the original source was too damaged to salvage), but the raw performances and blunt, unglamorized depictions of murder point to the dark road American films would tread in the seventies.

certainly acheived some acclaim in cult circles, this is a difficult film to watch. its not visually disturbing but on an emotional level it packs a wallop. an unpleasant "ripped from the headlines" story of people who flounder around confusing lust ... (read more) certainly acheived some acclaim in cult circles, this is a difficult film to watch. its not visually disturbing but on an emotional level it packs a wallop. an unpleasant "ripped from the headlines" story of people who flounder around confusing lust for real human connection.

Normally I love grungy 0-budget indies like this, but not this time. The filmmaking is amateurish, especially the sound which made it difficult to pay attention. The story is flat and repetetive.

I hear this has kind of a following, but I don't really see the appeal. Also, I don't think the John Waters comparisons are entirely apt - Waters might enjoy it, but this plays far more seriously than anything he's done.

OK....i relished at the lust and jealously, betrayal and naivety. I thought the acting was good, i think for the time the directing was good but the some of the camera angles and scenes were odd and cheesy. A true story that should have included th... (read more) OK....i relished at the lust and jealously, betrayal and naivety. I thought the acting was good, i think for the time the directing was good but the some of the camera angles and scenes were odd and cheesy. A true story that should have included the fact that the pair both had children prior to their meeting which they left behind to pursue their crimes and passions. I am not sur eif it was concluded that Martha actually made the call and waited calmly....Check the Janet murder scene...gargling oouch!!

Someone described this as John Waters does Badlands, and that's better than any other description I can give it. Historically I can see its place but its a strange juxtaposition of camp and harsh violence.

At first, I was reticent to praise The Honeymoon Killers because of its depictions of women (including the strong-willed Martha) as dependent, blissfully naive kewpie dolls, but I realized that this sort of approach is pertinent to its themes. The f... (read more) At first, I was reticent to praise The Honeymoon Killers because of its depictions of women (including the strong-willed Martha) as dependent, blissfully naive kewpie dolls, but I realized that this sort of approach is pertinent to its themes. The film hits strong notes about suburban anxieties and familial blight, which must have been particularly resonant in the Vietnam era, during which it was produced. The documentary-style photography gives the film a newsreel feeling, showing the chilling effects of wartime economic and social anxieties at home.

The film reaches its apex during the "marriage" to Janet Fay -- the most fleshed-out of Ray and Martha's victims. The frenzied heights this segment reaches are The Honeymoon Killers' most haunting and effective moment.