Headhunter (2005)

Ambitious young go-getter Ben Caruso signs on with sexy corporate headhunter Sarah Tierney. Sarah gets Ben a new job with great pay working the graveyard shift. However, Ben soon discovers ... See full summary »

Director:

Paul Tarantino

Writer:

Paul Tarantino

Stars:

Mark Aiken, Joseph Alfieri, René Ashton

1 win.

Cast

Credited cast:
Mark Aiken	...	Doug Bennet
Joseph Alfieri	...	Gino
René Ashton	...	Cara
Timothy Thomas Brown	...	Professor Hoffman
Matt Bushell	...	Scott
Krista Carpenter	...	Marla
Kristi Clainos	...	Sarah Tierney
Dennis Delsing	...	Storeage Security Guard
Paul Fanning	...	Elevator Rider
Patrick Hasson	...	Homeless Guy
Ralph Lister	...	The Man
Benjamin John Parrillo	...	Ben Caruso
Linda Rochelle	...	Ghost office worker
Rick Schiaffo	...	Mr. Goldstein
Lindsey Stoddart	...	Donna Corliss

Storyline

Ambitious young go-getter Ben Caruso signs on with sexy corporate headhunter Sarah Tierney. Sarah gets Ben a new job with great pay working the graveyard shift. However, Ben soon discovers that Sarah is a witch and his coworkers are the tormented souls of Sarah's previous conquests. If Ben doesn't find a missing head in a few days, he's in danger of losing his own.

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Taglines:

The best way to get ahead in business is to keep your own!

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Genres:

Thriller | Horror

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Details

Official Sites:

Toasted Films

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 May 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Chasseur De Têtes

Filming Locations:

Topanga Canyon, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Toasted Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

All the scenes at the mansion were shot in three days.

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Quotes

Storeage Security Guard: Now, what can I help you with dick smudge?

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Connections

References Carrie (1976)

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Soundtracks

"Right Behind Me"
Written by Dave Stuckey
Performed by The Dave and Deke Combo

User Reviews

Festival Fun with Horror Done Right

I caught HEADHUNTER as a part of a local film festival called Danceswithfilms here in Santa Monica, California. The festival prides itself on showcasing films with no stars, and no known director. With any luck all involved in this project will never again be welcomed back to the festival, as the talent on display here is of the "up and coming" variety - destine for success of the name making kind.

The story is unique and compelling, focusing on Ben Caruso, a man in search of a better job. He hooks up with a corporate headhunter and soon finds himself in a top notch horror yarn that also deals out a fair amount of sly laughs. The direction has wisps of Kubrick mixed in with Raimi...which bodes well for this film's director (Paul Tarantino). With all of Hollywood remaking Japanese horror - this home grown effort seems like an ideal candidate for an upgrading to a larger budget, and a wider release.

A stand out moment is where an unsuspecting character has a run in with a garbage disposal gone mad. Though, my favorite was the last few seconds of the film where one of the characters is confronted with that nagging question: "Where is my head?" There were a few moments where things dragged a bit more than I'd like, and where the projects lower budget poked through an otherwise highly professional appearance, but those moments were few and far between. Acting was superb, especially Ben Parrillo who carries the film with ease. Scott Bushell, who plays Ben's friend in the film, is a stand out - bringing a palooka like character to life. British actor Mark Aiken is a star under Hollywood's collective nose. If he's not scooped up for larger studio roles there is just something wrong - casting directors take note.

Judging from the DVD assortment at my local rental house (Did anyone really like CABIN FEVER? And GHOSTWATCHER left me looking for a refund!), this effort deserves to leap successfully from festival circuit to rental and cable. Keep an eye out.