FeatureThriller

The Todd Killings (1971): cast, story & where to watch

1971 · Film · ★ 4.4

The Todd Killings poster

Released in 1971, The Todd Killings is a thriller film directed by Barry Shear, running about 93 minutes.

What it’s about. Based on the true story of '60s thrill-killer Charles Schmidt ("The Pied Piper of Tucson"), Skipper Todd (Robert F. Lyons) is a charismatic 23-year old who charms his way into the lives of high school kids in a small California town. Girls find him attractive and are only too willing to accompany him to a nearby desert area to be his "girl for the night." Not all of them return, however. Featuring Richard Thomas as his loyal hanger-on and a colorful assortment of familiar actors in vivid character roles including Barbara Bel Geddes, Gloria Grahame, Edward Asner, Fay Spain, James Broderick and Michael Conrad.

Who’s in it. The Todd Killings stars Robert F. Lyons as Steven "Skipper" Todd, Richard Thomas as Billy Roy, Belinda Montgomery as Roberta and Ed Asner as Fred Reardon, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 4.4/10, The Todd Killings has proved divisive with audiences.

Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Todd Killings page.

If you liked it. Fans of The Todd Killings tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Pulp Fiction, Parasite and Fight Club.

Frequently asked

Where can I watch The Todd Killings (1971)?
In US, The Todd Killings is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
Is The Todd Killings worth watching?
The Todd Killings holds an audience score of 4.4 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy thriller. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
Who stars in The Todd Killings?
The Todd Killings stars Robert F. Lyons, Richard Thomas, Belinda Montgomery, Ed Asner and Gloria Grahame.
When was The Todd Killings released?
The Todd Killings was released in 1971, with a runtime of about 93 minutes.