Crimewave
1985 · Movie · PG-13 · 83 min · ★ 5.5 · 46% critics
A mild-mannered worker gets swept into a chaotic murder plot after two deranged exterminators-for-hire turn a business feud into a live-action cartoon. Told as a frantic flashback, the story mixes crime, romance, and nonstop mayhem as he tries to clear his name and survive the madness.
Also known as XYZ Murders
Where to watch
Watch free on Tubi — also streaming on Amazon Prime Video and MGM+.
1 hour to watch.
Streaming availability and prices may be inaccurate or change — verify with the provider before subscribing.
unSUB's subscription recommendations are informational only, not financial advice.
More value for your money
Similar titles, ranked by watch-hours per subscription dollar.
Details
- Years
- 1985
- Release date
- 1985-04-12
- Language
- English
- Rated
- PG-13
- Runtime
- 83 min
- Max quality
- HD
- Critic score
- 46/100
- TMDB rating
- 5.5/10 (166 votes)
About
You may enjoy this if you like loud, absurd, live-action cartoon chaos with dark comedy and a noir-flavored crime setup, somewhere between Freaked and Man with the Screaming Brain; Not for you if you want subtle humor or a tidy story.
Pros: wild slapstick energy; memorable villain duo; inventive set pieces | Cons: messy plot; uneven pacing; humor can grate
Themes
- hitman
- electric chair
- screwball comedy
- exterminator
Cast & crew
Reed Birney
as Vic Ajax
Louise Lasser
as Helene Trend
Sheree J. Wilson
as Nancy
Paul L. Smith
as Faron Crush
Brion James
as Arthur Coddish
Edward R. Pressman
as Ernest Trend
Bruce Campbell
as Renaldo 'The Heel'
Frances McDormand
as Nun
Anne Cooper
as Nun
Bridget Hoffman
as Nun
Directed by Sam Raimi