Bizarre tale of a reclusive young man whose chronic inhibitions have been shaped by his tormented childhood, during which he witnessed his prostitute mother being subjected to degrading acts and mistreatment by clients. He grows up to become a sexually repressed loner, the ridicule of others, repetitively robbed and humiliated until he discovers an injured snake whom he cares for and then rears to fight his battles. Sadistic shocks reign supreme in this over-the-top Hong Kong thriller; there are two scenes in particular in which the sexually deviant content would challenge the censorship regulations to the limit, so it's surprising that "Killer Snakes" even manages an R rating.
In context, the cast all perform their roles well, and the lead character can to some degree elicit sympathy for his misguided crimes. Maze-like poverty-stricken alleyways, bustling, diverse markets and ram-shackled rat-hole dwellings look authentic, and the mood is consistently dark and sinister, striking an effective chord throughout.
But the sadism with which the characters are mercilessly dispensed might offend the average punter, even where it seems as though the victim has earned their punishment. The scene in which the sleazy playboy is taunted by the snakes in his plush apartment is a particular example where I was comfortable with the comeuppance meted out; contrast this with the scene in which the girl's sister (whose only crime was to discourage her sister from dating snake-boy) is tortured S&M style using the snakes (use your imagination) is a graphic example where shock value goes beyond proportionate justice (within the perverted context). Undoubtedly well made and engaging if just a little excessive at times.
In context, the cast all perform their roles well, and the lead character can to some degree elicit sympathy for his misguided crimes. Maze-like poverty-stricken alleyways, bustling, diverse markets and ram-shackled rat-hole dwellings look authentic, and the mood is consistently dark and sinister, striking an effective chord throughout.
But the sadism with which the characters are mercilessly dispensed might offend the average punter, even where it seems as though the victim has earned their punishment. The scene in which the sleazy playboy is taunted by the snakes in his plush apartment is a particular example where I was comfortable with the comeuppance meted out; contrast this with the scene in which the girl's sister (whose only crime was to discourage her sister from dating snake-boy) is tortured S&M style using the snakes (use your imagination) is a graphic example where shock value goes beyond proportionate justice (within the perverted context). Undoubtedly well made and engaging if just a little excessive at times.