God Told Me To
dir. Larry Cohen · 1976
Plot
The storyline of this movie involves a series of motiveless murders committed by various New York residents: a sniper shoots people from a water tower; a father murders his entire family; and a cop opens fire during a St. Patrick's Day parade. The only consistent pattern to the crimes involves the perpetrators calm admissions of guilt, explaining, "God told me to." While investigating the murders, catholic police detective Peter Nicholas is increasingly troubled by evidence of a Christ-like figure named Bernard Phillips who appeared to each of the killers and can't seem to shake the feeling that his own fate is somewhat linked to this mysterious being. As he comes closer to the truth, his worst fears are confirmed.
Why watch
A sniper methodically picks off innocent victims from a water tower, while a father commits an unthinkable act against his family, all claiming, "God told me to." Detective Peter Nicholas finds himself ensnared in a web of inexplicable violence and divine intervention, leading him to confront his own beliefs and fears. Watching this film is like traversing a dark labyrinth where faith and madness intertwine, leaving you questioning the very nature of morality and sanity.