
The Designated Victim
1971

Representation Score
Minimal
1974
RDirector
Kostas Karagiannis
Runtime
87 minutes
Average Rating
No ratings yetNew Showbiz Analysis
Death Kiss is a typical 1974 thriller that follows the genre norms of its time. The plot centers on individual criminality, greed, and domestic betrayal, without attempting to challenge social hierarchies or explore multiple aspects of identity. The film’s structure relies heavily on traditional power dynamics, especially regarding gender. Women are portrayed as sources of wealth or victims of violence, lacking the ability to change the established order. Overall, the film depicts a homogeneous social environment. It focuses on the interpersonal dynamics of a wealthy, localized group, offering limited cultural or racial diversity.
Category Breakdown
The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or stories about non-traditional gender identities. The main conflict revolves around a traditional marriage that is portrayed as predatory.
Female characters mainly serve as targets of violence or catalysts for male-driven actions. The story uses 1970s-era clichés where women are seen as objects of desire rather than independent actors.
The storyline focuses on a specific upper-class group within a local area. There is no indication of a multi-ethnic cast or diverse character groupings.
Themes of greed and moral decay are shown through personal failings rather than broader societal critiques. The plot uses heroin as a gritty, realistic element of crime.
There are no characters with physical or neurological differences in the narrative.
Present on Screen
Limited or Absent
Official Synopsis
Jim Preston receives a yacht as an anniversary present from his wealthy wife Ellen. He plans to kill her for her entire fortune. To carry out the murder plan, he makes a contact with Mike, a crazed rape killer who has been terrorizing the city. Mike agrees to be the assassin for a large quantity of heroin. However he suspects that Preston will kill him as soon as his assignment is complete, so he finds a woman who looks exactly like Ellen and kills her instead.

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