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The alternate title of this made-for-TV whodunit is "Who Killed Joy Morgan?", yet that's far from being the only question laid down by the film; we are also constantly asking ourselves "Who was killed?" and "Who is lying?" and "Did Joy Morgan ever existed in the first place?". The twisty script makes sure that WE are never sure about anything. And if you like films of this type, this one is guaranteed to please you. A compact, gripping mystery with a competent cast - plus an early appearance by Kim Basinger, who looks more sensuous here than she did in later years. (**1/2)

This is a neat little film, that should satisfy fans of suspense/mystery/whodoneit genre. Since this is a 1981, made for TV film, the gore, harsh language and violence that are the staple of many newer films, are not present here. <p> Therefore, the writing, plot twists and acting move this film along. I was guessing up until the final scene. I would consider this film to be a "must see" for fans of the TV series, The Sopranos. Shades of Livia Soprano can be seen in Nancy Marchand's performance .... especially the dynamic between her character and that of her son.

KILLJOY opens with a woman's murder, then quickly switches to a hospital, where a soap opera ensues.

Dr. Paul Trenton (John Rubinstein) is in love with Laury Medford (Kim Basinger), who is engaged to Dr. Max Heller (Stephen Macht), who just might have been fooling around with the murdered woman!

Enter Lou Corbin (Robert Culp), who dated Joy Morgan, which was apparently the dead woman's name! Lou is a total pest, haunting Heller at the expense of his relationship with Laury.

Containing several improbable twists and a fairly obvious killer, this made-for-TV movie is more fun than a barrel full of coconuts! Laury's inordinate interest in tracking down Ms. Morgan borders on the frighteningly obsessive. Her "Nancy Drew" sleuthing is highly entertaining. Dr. Trenton's willingness to use elaborate subterfuge to break up Laury and Max is absurd, but fun!

The fact that every major cast member goes rummaging through Joy Morgan's house at some point is quite amusing! Of course, nothing compares to the preposterous, jaw-dropping, yet totally satisfying finale... in the morgue!

1980's TV at its zenith!...

The only reason I checked this film out was to see the "early" Kim Bassinger. That, and the fact that my TV guide said it was a "gripping suspense", and it was three-star rated. The rating must have come from the man who wrote this drivel because the only suspense in this movie was whether I would finish it or not. Robert Culp turns in what has to be the "disaster" of his career as a cop who is not even close to being believeable. At one point, EVERYBODY is a suspect, including a frail old woman. If you want to deliberately set out to watch a badly written, badly directed, badly acted movie...then go for it. It may make you appreciate fine films by comparison. I wish I had that hour and thirty six minutes back.

What a very lame film. I normally love the old made for TV movies of the 1970s - most are diamonds in the rough but this one is just terrible. Over acting, not much of a decent story and - just all over dull film.

1/10

This is an amazing thriller that you must watch!! If you like suspense than this is what you need! You will see how the story is actually interesting, and how the performances of some good actors, like Kim Basinger and Robert Culp are. This is one small TV made thriller or mystery that you will really enjoy if you like suspense, don't miss it!!

Chief of pathology at a teaching hospital hopes to wed the daughter of the head of the Governor's Board; seems they grew up together (but hardly look the same age) and, while she's a sexy lady, a marriage would benefit his career, according to his mother, a doctor herself. Complicating matters is the girl's relationship with yet another doctor, a ladies' man who does second-rate work in the operating room (gee, that's comforting). This terrible teleplay by Sam H. Rolfe works in a murder, an overeager cop who snoops around like Hercule Poirot, and an attempt at a twist ending that defies explanation. Kim Basinger (with a whopper crop of frosted blonde hair) has her moments, but Robert Culp--preening and seething and popping up every few minutes like a bad penny--is way over-the-top. * from ****

This is very interesting forgotten TV thriller that is worth to watch. It really deserves to be watched because you can see some great actors in their early appearance and their very good performances. The plot is very interesting and it keeps you in suspense until the end. If you have any chance to watch this early Kim Basinger's film, than don't hesitate!!

At first sight i thought this film is going to be awful,boring thriller because it was released on our very bad TV channel, but when I start watching it, it was becoming more and more interesting. I was surprised when I saw that one of the leading actress is Kim Basinger who is very good, Academy Award winner. Her role in this film is OK, but she has some better films. However this one is worth to watch, it is a great suspense!

Robert Culp is one of the most unique actors/writers/directors ever to hit the seen... unfortunately, he's been so UNDERRATED as of late. His hit TV series of TRACKDOWN and I SPY launched his career and he deserves much more recognition. This particular movies echos his ability as an enigmatic detective on a case of a murdered girl... I only wish the hell it was available to buy or rent! Any suggestions? Robert! I'm seeing Bill Cosby in concert tonight... I hope I run into you--You're the greatest!

Funny the things you remember from your childhood.... I first saw Killjoy around 1982-83 in England when I was 9 or 10 and it's always stayed with me, especially the beginning. The film was shown in the U. K. as part of a regular Saturday night collection of films under the title Murder, Mystery and Suspense and I believe Halloween was another.

Killjoy is great. The wonderful cast elevate it to beyond just a TV movie and they are obviously enjoying themselves. Robert Culp steals the film in my opinion. He creates a wonderfully quirky character who keeps popping up all over the place (the bit outside Kim Basinger's house always makes me laugh).

Also along for the ride are the lovely Miss Basinger (only around 26 here and it's difficult not to notice she doesn't appear the be wearing a bra), John Rubenstein (Crazy Like a Fox, The Boys From Brazil), Stephen Macht (The Monster Squad) and the always wonderful Nancy Marchand (Sparkling Cyanide, From the Hip).

A sharp script by Sam Rolfe and excellent Bruce Broughton music score along with John Llewelyn Moxey's steady direction make the whole thing very enjoyable. The film centres on a city hospital and the mysterious disappearance of the elusive Joy Morgan, whom we aren't even sure exists.

Rubenstein, Macht and Marchand are doctors at the hospital and Basinger is involved with both men. Enter Robert Culp who is trying to find Joy Morgan for reasons which aren't obvious. At first.

I managed to buy a copy on dvd as an American import a year ago. Bit pricey but well worth it for me.

If you like twisty murder mysteries give it a shot.

When my friend told me that there is a good film on TV tonight ii said that I am not interested in those old underrated movies. But when I saw that Kim Basinger is the leading actress I have become more interested in watching it. I didn't sorry because it was great, interesting thriller that I didn't expect. Everyone who has a chance to watch this film, than watch it, because it is really interesting!

I always wanted to see this film, because I simply adore Kim Basinger, but I couldn't find it in any video-club. I was thrilled when I saw it on TV, and pretty surprised how the storyline was interesting, keeping you in suspense, so doubtful. Kim looks great in her late twenties, and also her performance is not so bad at all. Very interesting film that I would recommend to everyone who likes tough suspense-mystery stories!!

Killjoy (TV movie 1981) 8 out of 10 stars Time to Read: 1:47 min

BASIC PLOT: Joy Morgan has gone missing. Is she dead? Did she go on a trip? Who knows the truth? Is it Dr. Paul Trenton (John Rubinstein), who has a key to her house? Could it be Dr. Martha Trenton (Nancy Marchand), Paul's obsessive mother, who will do anything to control his life? Is it Laury Medford (Kim Basinger), who's new fiancé, Dr. Max Heller (Stephen Macht) might have had an affair with Joy? Could it even be Rosie, the bartender at 'Post-op', the local doctor's bar? Rosie seems a bit too interested in the goings on at the hospital, and in the doctor's lives. Or finally, could it be Lou Corbin (Robert Culp), the strange man who seems obsessed with Joy, and who continuously shows up where he's not wanted?

WHAT WORKS: *SOAP OPERA-Y BUT IN A GOOD WAY The name of the hospital they all work in is 'City General Hospital', and of course the bar they all frequent, 'Post-Op', has a bartender, Rosie (very well played by Ann Wedgeworth) who's addicted to a soap very much like "General Hospital". The plotlines are soap opera-esque, but in an engaging, entertaining way, not in a ridiculous, oh brother way.

*THE ACTING IS WAY ABOVE AVERAGE For a TV movie, this is stellar. I know in 1981, we took our jobs more seriously, and greed hadn't yet taken over the entertainment industry completely, but even with all that said, it's still a cut above the norm for that era.

*PERFECTLY CAST Kim Basinger and John Rubinstein are perfectly cast as Laury Medford and Dr. Paul Trenton, the rich, spoiled kids, grown into entitled adults. Stephen Macht is excellent as Dr. Max Heller, a doctor who put himself through med school, working on the docks. He looks more like a boxer, than a doctor. The actors are all visual metaphors to their characters, and it really works.

*GOOD HIDDEN VISUAL CLUES If you look, there are visual clues that tell the story. I can't say more without it being a spoiler, but keep your eyes open for the little things. This movie makes good use of them.

*LOTS OF SUSPECTS, NO ANSWERS Literally everybody could be a suspect, even the ancillary characters, and that's a good thing. I also did not know who the killer was until the reveal, and I usually have these types of movies figured out in the first twenty minutes. Excellent.

*VERY WELL SHOT The setups and blocking are very well done. It's a "Joy" to watch.

*COOL CARS There are some awesome cars in this movie - a 'Vette and a Ferrari.

*KIM BASINGER goes braless throughout the whole movie, enough said.

WHAT DOESN'T WORK: *I TRIED HARD TO THINK OF SOMETHING, BUT EVERYTHING WORKS

TO RECOMMEND, OR NOT TO RECOMMEND, THAT IS THE QUESTION: *I would definitely recommend this movie to mystery fans. It's a mix of an old school Agatha Christie, (with Robert Culp playing Poirot) and a good night time soap's cliffhanger. Either way, a highly enjoyable ride.

CLOSING NOTES: *THIS IS A MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE, please keep that in mind before you watch/rate it. TV movies have a much lower budget, and so your expectations should be adjusted.

*I HAVE NO CONNECTION TO THE FILM, or production in ANY way. This review was NOT written in full, or in part, by a bot. I am just an honest viewer, who wishes for more straight forward reviews (less trolls and fanboys), and better entertainment. Hope I helped you out.

I watched this film few days ago on TV and I was surprised how the story was exciting and interesting. Great thriller, and excellent cast by Kim Basinger. She also looks great in her late twenties, I simply adore her and all of her movies. Great actress, now beautiful woman!