Ladykillers (1988)
A stylish late-1980s TV thriller pitting a determined female detective against a serial killer prowling the neon-lit world of Los Angeles male exotic dance.
Ladykillers - Movie Information
- Original Title: Ladykillers
- Release Year: 1988
- Directed by: Robert Michael Lewis
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Horror, TV Movie
- Runtime: 1h 36m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 9, 1988
- Production Companies: Barry Weitz Films, ABC Circle Films
- Production Countries: United States of America
Ladykillers - Plot
A female police detective enlists her boyfriend to help her track down a murderer picking off the dancers at an upscale male strip club in Los Angeles.
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Ladykillers - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Robert Michael Lewis
Main Cast
- Marilu Henner
- Susan Blakely
- Thomas Calabro
- William Lucking
- Lesley-Anne Down
- Alexandra Borrie
- Mark Carlton
- David Correia
- Gary Hudson
- Michael Ensign
Writers
- Gregory S. Dinallo
- Robert Michael Lewis
Producers
- Andrew Hill
Ladykillers - FAQs
What is Ladykillers (1988) about?
Ladykillers follows a female LAPD detective who teams up with her boyfriend to investigate a series of murders targeting male exotic dancers at an upscale Los Angeles strip club. The film blends mystery and thriller elements as the duo races to unmask a cunning killer before more victims fall.
Who stars in the 1988 TV movie Ladykillers?
The cast is led by Marilu Henner as detective Samantha Flannery and Lesley-Anne Down as the enigmatic Morganna Ross. They're joined by Susan Blakely, Thomas Calabro, William Lucking, Gary Hudson, and Keith David, among others, rounding out a strong ensemble for this late-1980s TV thriller.
When was Ladykillers released?
Ladykillers premiered on November 9, 1988. It was produced as a TV movie for ABC, making it a prime-time thriller event of that year. The film aired during a period when network TV movies were a popular format for genre storytelling.
Who directed Ladykillers (1988)?
Robert Michael Lewis directed Ladykillers. He also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Gregory S. Dinallo, giving the project a unified creative vision. Lewis was an experienced TV director whose work spanned numerous network movies and series throughout the 1980s.
Is Ladykillers based on a true story?
No, Ladykillers is not based on a true story. It's an original fictional thriller written by Gregory S. Dinallo and Robert Michael Lewis. The premise — a serial killer targeting male exotic dancers in Los Angeles — is entirely invented for dramatic and genre entertainment purposes.
What genre is the 1988 film Ladykillers?
Ladykillers blends Thriller, Mystery, and Horror into a TV Movie package. It's a whodunit at heart, wrapped in suspense and a dash of the macabre. The setting — an upscale male strip club in Los Angeles — gives it a distinctive, provocative edge uncommon for network television of the era.
How long is Ladykillers (1988)?
Ladykillers runs for 96 minutes, or 1 hour and 36 minutes. That's a solid runtime for a TV movie, giving the story enough room to develop its mystery, build suspense, and flesh out the key characters before delivering its thriller payoff.
What are some movies similar to Ladykillers?
If you enjoy Ladykillers, you might also like All the Devils Are Here (2025), Buried in Barstow (2022), The Killer (2024), The Locksmith (2023), and Hunting Season (2025). These films share similar thriller and mystery sensibilities, making them great picks for fans of suspenseful, character-driven crime stories.
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