FORMAT: DVD
Aroused is an outstanding sexploitation roughie that plays like a precursor to the giallo and slasher genres. There’s a “sex killer” on the loose that gets his kicks from murdering prostitutes. When a hooker named Ginny (Janine Lenon) finds her lover has been killed by the creep, she vows to castrate him. Johnny (Steve Hollister) is a determined cop on the case and together, he makes an uneasy alliance with Ginny to bring down the killer.
Seedy and atmospheric, this one packs a real wallop. The opening scene is particularly effective as the killer sneaks up on his victim in the shower before strangling her. The constant freeze frames accompanied by the sounds of his various childhood traumas on the soundtrack is downright hair raising.
Aroused isn’t your typical sexploitation flick. There’s a surprising amount of artistry here that few genre films can muster. The camerawork is efficient, and often maximizes the frame and fills it in interesting and compelling ways. The jazzy score is freaking amazing too, and coupled with the extremely moody lighting, adds to the overall sense of atmosphere.
The film is packed with several memorable scenes, like when our heroine stumbles into the killer’s abode and finds a bunch of decapitated mannequin heads strewn about. (I wonder if Bill Lustig watched this before he made Maniac.) There’s even a suspenseful cat and mouse scene in an elevator that would put some big budget Hollywood thrillers to shame. The ending is unforgettable too.
Incredibly enough, this was leading lady Lenon’s only role. She’s excellent in this and it’s a shame she didn’t appear in more films. Director Anton Holden only made a handful of movies (including Teenage Tramp) before working in the sound department on several prestigious TV movies like The Tuskegee Airmen and Buffalo Girls. Exploitation’s loss is TV’s gain, I guess.
In short, Aroused is a certified classic ripe for discovery.
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