“The Toolbox Murders,” a lesser-known slasher from 1978, managed to reach cinemas before “Halloween” and, in my view, holds up well if you’re into this kind of movie. The film was made for just $165,000, but it looks surprisingly polished and doesn't feel cheap. The story unfolds at a Los Angeles apartment complex where four women are killed using various instruments, while another woman is missing. The narrative centers on figuring out the identity of the killer and their motivations; Cameron Mitchell, Vance, Wesley Eure, and Nicholas Beauvy comprise the main cast. While it contains some exploitative elements, “The Toolbox Murders” delves into unexpected themes beneath its surface-level slasher plot. For example, the movie begins with a minister’s sermon from Mark 9:43-48 on the radio, and later reveals that someone interprets parts of this message in an extreme way, leading them to become a disturbed “holy” figure who wants to cleanse society—a concept reminiscent of Marvel's Foolkiller, who first appeared three years prior. Beyond that, other themes are present as well, such as shielding a family member involved in crime, hidden sexual transgressions, disagreements within families, the effects of trauma, and demonstrating courage. Pamelyn Ferdin takes on the role of the film’s central female character. Although she portrays a 15-year-old, she was actually 17 when cast and turned 18 during filming. Those who watched television in the mid-60s through the 70s may recognize her from various shows, including her appearance in the 1968 “Star Trek” episode “And the Children Shall Lead.” This marked her last film role before she became a nurse. Marciee Drake (as Debbie) and Kelly Nichols (as Dee Ann) also have parts. The latter worked as a nude model at the time, so she didn’t hesitate about appearing unclothed on screen. The movie is an hour and thirty-three minutes long and was primarily filmed in Canoga Park, Los Angeles, with some scenes shot elsewhere in the L.A. area, like the final scene which takes place in a West Hills mall parking lot. GRADE: B-

Source on TMDB