CrawlerChunky In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Neive Bellamy Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

Taha Avalos The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

Nicole I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

grantss Brave and innovative, in that, despite being made in 1980, when gay lifestyles were less accepted, the movie sets a murder-drama against the backdrop of New York's underground gay subculture. Moreover, the gay background is represented in a balanced fashion.With this backdrop, the movie starts out very interesting and intriguingly. However, it seems to run out of new ideas after a point and drifts. There are some silly interludes and scenes, and the plot gets confusing.There is a great twist at the end, but this doesn't make up for the disappointment of an opportunity wasted to make a thoughtful and telling movie.

Python Hyena Cruising (1980): Dir: William Friedkin / Cast: Al Pacino, Paul Sorvino, Karen Allen, Richard Cox, Don Scardino: Disturbing and sexually graphic thriller about a search for the killer of several gay males whose body parts are found in a river. Al Pacino plays Steve Burns, a cop who resembles the victims and is assigned to go undercover to seek out the killer. Director William Friedkin details the film with insightful elements of the gay and leather lifestyle including a scene where he learns what various colored bandannas mean in what pockets. Pacino plays Burns as someone shocked at what he witnesses at these bars but he takes several risks that lead to potential suspects. He grows frustrated and alienated from his regular life. He is also disgusted with the police brutality stemmed from homophobia. Paul Sorvino's role as police chief is more standard issue with barking orders, issuing interrogations and convincing Burns to remain on the case. Karen Allen plays Steve's girlfriend who feels the emotional distance when her boyfriend cannot explain the nature of his case. Richard Cox plays a suspect whom Burns follows after breaking into his apartment. Don Scardino plays a struggling gay playwrite who befriends Burns. The sexual lifestyle showcased here is graphic and certain acts are downright disturbing to watch but it does point to the hostile world such sexual orientations go cruising into. Score: 8 ½ / 10

simon-35-260097 One of the most hard-hitting movies ever made IMO .... One of Pacino's best ever performances. Paul Sorvino is great and in general the casting and quality of the cast is as good as it gets .If you are homophobic don't watch it . This movie is not 'politically correct' and would not get made today, not by a long shot. It is very much a time capsule - pre AIDS and before they 'cleaned up' NYC The music used is great especially the stuff by Mutiny.A lot of people will not be able to get past the 'subject matter' But if you have an open mind , let yourself descend into the darkness of what is one of the darkest films ever made ....

Vivekmaru45 I heard about this film and decided to see it. William Friedkin has become a house-hold name with films like The Exorcist and The French Connection, To Live and Die in L.A., Rampage, The Guardian and Sorceror.The film starts with the discovery of a body part in the Hudson river. This body part is one among many pieces which were discovered. New York Police Captain Edelson(Paul Sorvino) assigns Officer Steve Burns(Al Pacino), who resembles the victims, is sent deep undercover into the urban world of gay S&M and leather bars in the Meatpacking District in order to track down the killer.Friedkin gives us scenes to what goes on inside the gay S&M and leather bars. Also there is a scene of some cops harassing a pair of transvestites and ordering them to give bl*wjobs inside their squad car. We hear one of the cops say. "I knew a guy once who was a coke-sucker". We hear his partner immediately say:"before that he was a cork-soaker". This dialogue shows the society's views on homosexualism during that time. The murder scenes depicted in the film are hardcore. Pacino's acting is excellent as always. His role in the film was to bring the serial out and the way he accomplishes this task is why you should rent or buy this excellent film. I've seen this film about three or four times already and it gets better with every watch. Also I should mention that Paul Sorvino, another favorite of mine, gives a powerful portrayal of New York Police Captain Edelson who is given a deadline by the Mayor to solve this case or else...Other serial killer films to see/buy: The Deliberate Stranger(1986), Ted Bundy(2002), To Catch A Killer(1992), Dear Mr. Gacy (2010), Albert Fish: In Sin He Found Salvation (2007), The Gray Man(2007), Dahmer (2002),The Secret Life: Jeffrey Dahmer (1993), Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer (1986), Citizen X(1995), Evilenko(2004), The Hunt for The BTK Killer(2005), Confessions Of A Serial killer(1985), Deranged (1974), H.H. Holmes America's First Serial killer(2004). Enjoy!