10 Knock Off Horror Movies That Are Worth Watching

Knocked Off - Psycho

If you thought Disturbia was the only knock-off based on an Alfred Hitchcock film, think again. When Psycho was declared the renowned filmmaker's magnum opus, it spawned a ton of knock-offs including Dementia 13, Die! Die! My Darling, and Three on a Meathook.

However, one film that that deserved more credit is the 1961 slasher, Homicidal. The story focuses on a serial-killing woman and a scheme to steal a family inheritance. Sadly, critics couldn't help perceiving Homicidal as an inferior version of Psycho. (It didn't help that Homicidal hit theatres one year after Hitchcock's film.) Because the director, William Castle, had a habit of churning out gimmicky B-movie schlock, this may have been another reason why critics reacted so harshly to this particular film.

Even though Homicidal was made off the heels of Psycho, it still stands on its own merit. It's effectively gory, fast-paced, well-shot, and Joan Marshall excels as the deranged murderess. The shock ending can't compare to Psycho but it is still an effective twist that catches viewers off-guard. Over the years, Homicidal has garnered a cult following and is considered an underrated slasher of the 1960s.