The Exterminator
The Exterminator Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: April 13, 2026
Movie Overview: The Exterminator
| Movie | The Exterminator |
| Release Year | 1980 |
| Director | James Glickenhaus |
| Genre | Action |
| Runtime | 98 minutes |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Exterminator (1980) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.5/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Action.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in The Exterminator are led by Robert Ginty . The supporting cast, including Christopher George and Samantha Eggar , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
While The Exterminator does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Action films.
- Interesting concept or premise
- Some entertaining scenes
- Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Exterminator has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Action fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Exterminator
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1980, The Exterminator is a Action film directed by James Glickenhaus. The narrative delivers highly intense sequences and pulse-pounding confrontations that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Robert Ginty.
Ending Explained: The Exterminator
The Exterminator Ending Explained: Directed by James Glickenhaus, The Exterminator attempts to bring together the film’s narrative threads. The ending highlights the core action themes developed throughout the film.
The climax builds toward a high-stakes confrontation that resolves the main conflict, particularly in scenes involving Robert Ginty. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The story resolves its primary conflict while leaving room for interpretation.
- Character Development: Character motivations become clearer by the final scenes.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the action themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of The Exterminator reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Who Should Watch The Exterminator?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Action films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Top Cast: The Exterminator
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Where to Watch The Exterminator Online?
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Fandango At HomeThe Exterminator Parents Guide & Age Rating
1980 AdvisoryWondering about The Exterminator age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Exterminator is 98 minutes (1h 38m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.5/10, and global performance metrics, The Exterminator is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1980 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Exterminator worth watching?
The Exterminator is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Action movies. It has a verified rating of 5.5/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Exterminator parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Exterminator identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Exterminator?
The total duration of The Exterminator is 98 minutes, which is approximately 1h 38m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Exterminator
Exterminate, Exterminate! How wonderfully tacky and exploitive, The Exterminator rides in on the coat tails of films like Death Wish and has a bloody good time doing so. Plot sees Vietnam veteran John Eastland (Robert Ginty) embark on a crusade of vigilantism when his best buddy is left paralysed by scumbags. Pic is relentlessly bleak, as Eastland goes about his business, offing serious low-life's in a number of gruesome ways, director and writer James Glickenhaus revels in saying that all around us is a rotten apple. Of course vigilantism is wrong, but Glickenhaus makes it virtually impossible to not be on The Exterminator's side, such is the vile stench that circles the seamy underbelly of the city. Trying to stop The Exterminator is world weary Detective James Dalton (Christopher George), well when he is not having sex with Samantha Eggar in the local hospital that is! He's a great character is Dalton, stoic and scuzzy, a throwback to the halcyon days of film noir gumshoes. And of course, he will be tinted with a conflict of interest. The pace sometimes plods, but this is off set by the action that is guaranteed to arrive in the next passage of play, and the kills, graphic for the time, are not without grotesque ingenuity. Eggar is pretty much a token offering and really serves no purpose other than to give Jimmy some sugar, while some of the editing and photography leaves quite a bit to be desired. Cheap independent problems be damned though! The Exterminator is in your face, it shows it all and doesn't cut corners or soft soap its theme. It be a splendid slice of Grindhouse Grue for those with a kink for such glorious excess. 8/10
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
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