The New York Ripper

The New York Ripper

Year: 1982

Runtime: 93 mins

Language: Italian

CrimeMysteryHorrorThrillerIntense violence and sexual transgression

A jaded New York homicide detective, exhausted by years on the force, joins forces with a sharp‑witted college psychoanalyst to hunt a brutal serial killer who prowls the city, indiscriminately stalking and slashing young women. Their partnership forces them to confront their own demons while racing against time to stop the relentless murders.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The New York Ripper (1982)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The New York Ripper (1982). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

New York City, Staten Island

New York City's dense urban landscape serves as a dense backdrop for a string of brutal murders. The action moves through Manhattan's seedier districts and the Staten Island Ferry, highlighting the city's nocturnal atmosphere. This neon-soaked setting amplifies suspense as the killer stalks young women and the police race to prevent more deaths.

🌆 Urban crime 🗽 City setting 🌃 Nightlife

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:58

Main Characters – The New York Ripper (1982)

Meet the key characters of The New York Ripper (1982), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Peter Bunch (Andrea Occhipinti)

A polished, intelligent man whose charm masks a deep-seated resentment of women. His motive is tied to a personal grudge and his terminally ill daughter Suzy, fueling a violent, calculated plan. He is ultimately revealed as the killer and is killed by Williams in a final confrontation.

🧠 Intelligent 🎭 Deceptive Charm 👪 Family tragedy

Jane Forrester Lodge (Alexandra Delli Colli)

A wealthy, sexually exploratory woman with an open marriage who pursues experiences in the city. She records a live sex show, attracting the killer’s attention and ultimately becoming a victim in a hallway confrontation.

💃 Open relationship 🔍 Voyeurism 🌃 Victim of fate

Fay Majors (Almanta Suska)

A young woman who escapes a subway stalker and becomes a key target of the killer. She trusts her instincts, suspects the duck-voiced attacker, and faces danger as the case unfolds toward a final confrontation with the killer.

🧠 Sharp instincts 🧭 Targeted by killer 🏥 Resilience

Mickey Scellenda (Howard Ross)

A scruffy, dangerous man with two missing fingers who becomes a central suspect but is ultimately ruled out when he dies by suicide. His presence and aggressive behavior contribute to the sense of danger surrounding the case.

🧭 Red herring 🧼 Troubled past 🪬 Self-destruction

Lt. Fred Williams (Jack Hedley)

A burned-out detective driven to solve the case despite political and media pressure. He pushes the investigation forward, pieces together clues with Dr. Davis, and ultimately plays a pivotal role in capturing the killer.

🔎 Investigative lead 🧩 Persistent 🖤 Determination

Dr. Paul Davis (Paolo Malco)

A psychologist who advises on the case and helps craft the killer’s profile. He questions approaches and provides clinical insight that guides the investigation, culminating in an understanding of the killer’s motive.

🧠 Psychology 🔬 Forensic insight 🧭 Guidance

Kitty (Daniela Doria)

A prostitute who becomes one of the killer’s victims. Her murder adds to the chilling sequence of crimes that escalate the panic and push the investigators toward the killer’s identity.

💀 Victim 🕯️ Vulnerability

Dr. Lodge (Cosimo Cinieri)

A medical professional involved in the case, contributing to the autopsy findings and the forensic understanding of the killer’s MO.

🧬 Forensics 🏥 Medicine 🕵️ City clues

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:58

Major Themes – The New York Ripper (1982)

Explore the central themes of The New York Ripper (1982), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️ Profiling Insight

The investigation centers on constructing a psychological profile of the killer, balancing expert reasoning with public pressure. The killer is portrayed as intelligent and calculating, targeting young, sexually active women and using misdirection to sidestep suspicion. The debate over profiling's usefulness versus its limits drives the investigative tension. The sequence shows how professional approach clashes with media sensationalism and public fear.

🔪 Violence

The killings are depicted with brutal directness, including a dancer in a dressing room stabbed with a broken bottle and a subway-side assault. The killer’s methods combine stalking with sudden, intimate attacks, underscoring misogynistic motives. The violence is crucial to establishing fear and a chilling mood, even as it reveals the killer’s calculated control. Victims are young women, highlighting the killer’s hatred and need for dominance.

🗞️ Media Panic

News outlets quickly sensationalize the case, dubbing the killer the 'New York Ripper' and fueling public fear. The police chief suppresses official statements to avoid panic, creating a tense dynamic between information and image. The nickname and the caller's taunts shape public perception and complicate investigations. This media environment amplifies pressure on law enforcement and drives the narrative pace.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:58

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The New York Ripper Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The New York Ripper, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The New York Ripper Summary

The New York Ripper Timeline

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The New York Ripper Timeline

More About The New York Ripper

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The New York Ripper (1982) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

The New York Ripper (1982) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

The New York Ripper (1982) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow