The Pyx (1973)

A detective investigating the death of a heroin-addicted prostitute uncovers evidence pointing to the existence of a murderous devil cult.

Director:

Harvey Hart

Writers:

Robert Schlitt (screenplay), John Buell (novel)

Stars:

Karen Black, Christopher Plummer, Donald Pilon

Cast

Credited cast:
Karen Black	...	Elizabeth Lucy
Christopher Plummer	...	Dt. Sgt. Jim Henderson
Donald Pilon	...	Dt. Sgt. Pierre Paquette
Jean-Louis Roux	...	Keerson
Yvette Brind'amour	...	Meg
Jacques Godin	...	Superintendent
Lee Broker	...	Herbie Lafram
Terry Haig	...	Jimmy
Robin Gammell	...	Worther
Louise Rinfret	...	Sandra
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Charlie Beauchamp	...	(as Charles Beauchamp)
Robert Beaulieu
Pierre-Paul Bélisle
Gilles Desormeaux
Jean Dubost

Storyline

A detective investigating the death of a heroin-addicted prostitute uncovers evidence pointing to the existence of a murderous devil cult.

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Plot Keywords:

detective | cult | flashback | prostitution | female rear nudity | 

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Taglines:

See It...Find Out What It Means!

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Genres:

Horror | Thriller | Crime

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English French

Release Date:

October 1973 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Hooker Cult Murders

Filming Locations:

Montréal, Québec, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

CAD 1,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Host Productions Quebec

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Shot in the winter.

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Soundtracks

"I was touched by your passing through"
Karen Black

User Reviews

Interesting, but flawed

Like Larry Cohen's bizarre (and wonderful) GOD TOLD ME TO (1975), THE PYX is an interesting mixture of horror and detective thriller. After a hooker (Karen Black) supposedly commits suicide by jumping from a high-rise building to her death, cop Christopher Plummer investigates and uncovers a strange religious cult led by Jean-Louis Roux. These scenes are intercut with events from the previous 24 hours, in which Black is encouraged by her sinister madame (Yvette Brind'Amour) to join the cult. Unfortunately, despite Black excellent performance, most of these scenes are plodding and dull, due to the fact that we know Black's fate. Also, these scenes are often inserted during the more interesting investigation scenes with Plummer, who also gives a fine performance. Still, there's enough unusual about THE PYX to make it worth watching. The Montreal setting with its mixture of English and French dialogue gives the film a disquieting atmosphere, and the cop scenes have an almost documentary feel about them. The badly panned-and-scanned US video release destroys Rene Verzier's camera work (as well as make one or two moments quite confusing).