A detective teams up with a talk-show host to take down a homophobic serial killer on the streets of Toronto.A detective teams up with a talk-show host to take down a homophobic serial killer on the streets of Toronto.A detective teams up with a talk-show host to take down a homophobic serial killer on the streets of Toronto.
David Christopher Adamson
- Dave Miller
- (as David Adamson)
Lee Ann Nestegard
- Elizabeth Price
- (as Leeann Nestegard)
Edward Chester
- Barry McKee
- (as Ed Chester)
Susan Hamann
- Del
- (as Suzy Hamann)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaInspired by the real life murders of 14 gay men in the Toronto area in the mid-to-late 1970's, believed to be the work of a serial killer. Most of the victims were stabbed to death and frequented the same bar, the St. Charles Tavern on Yonge Street. None of the victims were reported as being HIV+, however. The murders were never solved.
- ConnectionsReferences M (1931)
Featured review
"Talk Radio" meets "The New York Ripper"
In its own low-down, exploitative way, "City in Panic" keeps your attention. An obviously low-budget slasher which distinguishes itself from the dime-a-dozen crowd by frankly introducing themes of AIDS and homosexuality into the story (you don't see that today, let alone in the 1980's). The murder scenes are very gory and well-done. The plot is fairly simple: a radio talk-show host becomes the pillar of sanity in a city where a serial killer is at work, and he is the one who will ultimately unmask the murderer. The director's muddled message is frustrating, though--even though the last scene makes a case for tolerance and responsibility, is that supposed to justify all the gay-bashing and AIDS paranoia that's gone on before (not to mention a very ghastly castration)? "City in Panic" isn't high moral theater, nor is it an insightful look at AIDS or homosexuality, but as a slasher film, it keeps moving along and is never dull.
5/10
5/10
helpful•73
- Jonny_Numb
- Jan 29, 2003
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