Tattoo
Karl Kinsky, an unbalanced tattoo artist, becomes obsessed with Maddy, a model he meets when he is hired to body-paint several women for a photo shoot, making the women look like they have large tattoos. As Kinsky grows more obsessed with Maddy, he becomes increasingly determined that Maddy should bear his "mark" -- forever.
Why it matters
Tattoo (1981) is a grimy descent into obsession and body horror that fuses ’80s grindhouse grit with psychological dread.
- Klaus Kinski delivers a volatile, unhinged performance that anchors the film’s creeping menace.
- Practical effects evoke real skin-crawling discomfort, blending tattoo artistry with visceral body horror.
- A raw, urban nightmare capturing early ’80s anxieties around control, identity, and bodily autonomy.
- For fans of slow-burn stalker tales with a grotesque edge, bridging exploitation and art-house unease.
Director
Cast
Horror DNA
Gore
28
Slow Burn
66
Psychological
57
Supernatural
0
Creature
0
Disturbing
67
Fun Factor
0
Cerebral
71
Survival
0
