Marty Cordova

Sometimes Aunt Martha Does Dreadful Things (1971) is one of those cult oddities that you stumble across and wonder, “How did this ever get made?” The movie’s basically a weird cocktail of crime, dark comedy, and just straight-up camp. It follows two guys, Paul and Stanley, who are hiding out in the suburbs after a robbery. And here’s the kicker: Stanley’s gotta lay low, so he starts dressing up as “Aunt Martha,” this bizarre, matronly disguise that fools the nosy neighbors but, honestly, not the audience. It’s all wigs and polyester dresses, with Stanley acting like some twisted version of Norman Bates meets Mrs. Doubtfire. The film’s vibe is pure 1970s grindhouse, with a shaky camera and that sweaty, Floridian look. There’s this constant tension—Stanley’s got some, let’s say, “issues,” and Paul’s just trying to keep his cool, but things unravel fast. The neighbors get suspicious, drugs are involved, and people start dying in ways that are both shocking and kind of hilarious. The script is full of weird, offbeat dialogue, and the performances are so over-the-top you can’t help but laugh even when it gets creepy. Honestly, it’s not a masterpiece, but it’s got that low-budget charm and a kind of unhinged energy that keeps you watching. It’s weird, it’s wild, and it doesn’t take itself too seriously—which, let’s face it, is exactly what you want from a movie with a title like that.