Tetromaniac: 61 – Scorecard Killer is a 2023 Italian extreme horror, written and directed by Domiziano Cristopharo and Poison Rouge. Domiziano is known as the writer and director of such films as Bloody Sin (2011), and The Transparent Woman (2015). Whereas Poison Rouge is known for directing American Guinea Pig: Sacrifice (2016), and 7 Sins (2020). The film is the latest in TetroVideo’s exclusive series, Tetromaniacs, a collection of extreme horror films based on real-life cases of serial killers.
As the name suggests, Tetromaniac: 61 – Scorecard Killer takes its basis from the crimes of American serial killer, Randy Steven Kraft, also known as the Scorecard Killer, the Southern California Strangler, and the Freeway Killer. Between 1972 and 1983, Kraft had committed the rape, torture, and murder of a minimum of sixteen young men (however, the number is believed to be closer to 51). Kraft became known as the “Scorecard Killer” upon his arrest after investigators discovered a coded list with sixty-one entries on a scorecard containing cryptic references to his victims.
However, those looking for a realistic look into the life of this sadistic killer or the extent of his crimes may be slightly disappointed, as the film works more of a reimagining of this tale of terror rather than a biopic. As such, numerous changes have been implemented such as taking place in a more modern era rather than the 70s-80s, using a multitude of different technology such as smartphones and home printers. Furthermore, while the film is meant to be set in America, it is discernable that all cars have Italian license plates—whether this is intentional or not is up for debate.
Additionally, the inclusion of multiple hallucinatory scenes certainly cements Tetromaniac: 61 – Scorecard Killer in the realm of artistic expression rather than a biographical film. The innocent victim experiences a number of scenarios far beyond what is expected as his mind regresses into a bizarre fever dream to escape the graphic torture experienced.
Whilst the majority of the film takes place in the killer’s car as he abuses and tortures his victim, the cinematography in Tetromaniac: 61 – Scorecard Killer certainly imbues the claustrophobic environment upon the audience. Mostly featuring tight, close-up shots of the characters as well as the visceral carnage perpetrated on the victim, the film undoubtedly delivers an uncomfortable adjacency to the action.
The real star of the show is, unequivocally, the film’s special effects, delivering an abundance of brutal depravity throughout its runtime. Yet, while these vicious acts are incredibly graphic, displaying a discomfiting, unbridled visualisation of this TORTURE, the effects present a realistic nihilism rather than a comedic geyser of gore—further reinforcing its pragmatic, unbridled depiction.
An inventive reimagining of the crimes of Randy Steven Kraft, Tetromaniac: 61 – Scorecard Killer’s extreme rendition of this final murder committed by the sadistic killer certainly holds nothing back in its portrayal of criminality. With its vivid special effects, excellent cinematography, and innovative vision, the film isn’t scared to delve into uncharted territory in terms of brutality or creativity.
Tetromaniac: 61 – Scorecard Killer (2021) is available to preorder from TetroVideo’s Website here.
More Extreme Cinema Reviews
An Interview with Jonathan Doe – The Putrid Prince of Extreme Cinema
Known for his recent, boundary-pushing entries in the extreme cinema genre, Jonathan Doe is a writer/director/producer most notable for his Erotic Grotesque Nonsense series of films, including Barf Bunny (2021),…
The Abandoned (2006) Film Review – Abandon All Hope
The Abandoned is a 2006 horror thriller, written and directed by Nacho Cerdá with additional writing from Karim Hussain and Richard Stanley. Mostly known as a director of shorts and…
Godless.com: The Best Place to Buy Indie Horror Books!
If You Love Horror Books, You NEED to Get on Godless! Let’s get one thing straight: Godless.com is NOT a satanic cult! It has nothing to do with religion of…
Trypophobic Posession (2024) Film Review – Any Hole’s A Goal
Trypophobic Posession is a 2024 Spanish splatter horror short film, written and directed by Mikel Balerdi (though most of the work was undertaken by Cory DeAn Cowley). Known for his…
Rave (2020) Film Review – We’re Off to the Discotech
Rave (Svartklubb) is a 2020 Swedish body horror film written and directed by Nils Alatalo in his first feature-length debut after graduating from film school. The film stars Isabelle Grill…
Bottomfeeder Graphic Novel Review – Oh What Wonderous Filth!
American comics have been in a slump, the mainstream dwelling in mundane content heavily focused on appeasing a small percentage of the fanbase. The result, mainstream/major companies struggling with sales…
Hey there, I’m Jim and I’m located in London, UK. I am a Writer and Managing Director here at Grimoire of Horror. A lifelong love of horror and writing has led me down this rabbit hole, allowing me to meet many amazing people and experience some truly original artwork. I specialise in world cinema, manga/graphic novels, and video games but will sometime traverse into the unknown in search of adventure.