Music speaks to us all. But when music speaks to Duane Lewis (Jérémie Earp-Lavergne) he transforms into a serial killer whose murderous trail of blood can be found on both sides of the 49th parallel.

On the surface, Duane looks like your average young man growing up in the discocentric mid-1970's. But a childhood event (seen later in flashbacks) underline why Duane has psychotic snaps in the presence of disco music leading to his murderous ways. His serial killer instincts are so violent in nature that bodies are dismembered and mutilated beyond recognition.

On Duane's trail are both detectives from New York City and Montreal where Duane has taken up residence after fleeing the United States after a brutal slaying at a local Discotheque. Always one step behind, Duane seems unstoppable during his musically engaged rages. That is, until Duane reveals himself to the detectives leading to a climax that is an unpredictable as it is enjoyable.

Discopath is directed by Renaud Gauthier who marked his directorial debut with this slick and fun horror film. A toe-tapping soundtrack which includes music from Kiss and KC & the Sunshine Band help lead to the authentic feel of the 70's and the violence goes from the grotesque such as the use of vinyl as a weapon to the graphically conclusion to a car chase during a funeral procession.

Discopath switches languages when the action switches to Montreal which may dismay anyone who groans when having to read subtitles. But the effect only personifies the authenticity of the environment and setting that Gauthier has constructed from his own screenplay.

A few dialogue lapses and questionable casting choices for a few of the side characters are the only drawbacks in an otherwise highly recommended hidden gem that we bet disco balls many of our readers have not heard of prior to this introduction.

Upon a second viewing, we believe strongly that had Discopath been released theatrically in the late 1970's or early 80's it would easily have become kin to other revered Canadian horror films such as Black Christmas, Prom Night and Happy Birthday to Me.

As an elder statesman in 2014 I can still confirm that Disco Sucks. But Discopath does everything but.

www.killerreviews.com

Sometimes it is better to be deaf, but more on that later. Let's take the positive things first. We're talking about great technical aspects surrounding this movie. The camera work is exceptional, the lighting is really good. The overall quality is way better than some other similar low budget efforts. Someone had a vision and that vision came to life in quite some fashion.

Having said that, the movie also has some issues. It pays homage to "old" horror movies. Just the fact it's playing in the Disco era (hence the title and the music, both fitting) alone should be a giveaway. And it's not a bad thing, it's just that sometimes there are bumps and quite a few hiccups along the way. If the story was a tight as the look of the movie, we could have had a real winner. And while some of it is done on purpose (or as a tribute to the movies this was inspired by),you'd wish they'd have spent a bit more time on the script ...

Duane Lewis(Jérémie Earp-Lavergne)is an awkward and very shy man who works in a burger joint.But this soft-spoken and slightly weird guy has murderous dark side:when he hears pulsating disco music he turns into savage and merciless slasher of young women.His first victim roller-skating girl is murdered in New York night club during disco number.Duane catches the first flight to Montreal and begins his next killing spree there.What I especially enjoyed in "Discopathe" is an obvious influence of 70's grindhouse exploitation cinema and low-budget slasher flicks like Joseph Ellison's "Don't Go in the House"(1980).The film is pretty bloody and sleazy,so I can't complain.The direction of Renaud Gauthier is quite good and the cinematography is splendid.There are some silly scenes in "Discopathe",but if you like your slasher movies cheesy and bloody you can't go wrong with this groovy slasher indie.8 discopathic killers out of 10.Lots of fun.