---
title: "Touch of Death"
year: 1988
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/touch-of-death-1988"
media_type: "movie"
tmdb_id: 28848
imdb_id: "tt0095941"
status: "Released"
runtime_minutes: 86
community_rating: 5.3
vote_count: 87
content_rating: "Unrated"
---

# Touch of Death (1988) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/touch-of-death-1988

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

Touch of Death is a 1988 horror and comedy film directed with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. The story follows a financially strained and desperate man named Lester Parsons who schemes to fleece rich women found through lonely hearts ads, while also operating as a psychotic cannibal.

The film explores Lester's macabre lifestyle utilizing a chainsaw on his victims and incorporating their flesh into his dinners. Cultural significance and viewing metrics are underscored by its classification within the horror and comedy genres, though specific streaming availability and viewership numbers are not provided in the text.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "A desperate man preys on lonely hearts, hiding a terrifying secret until a copycat appears."

### Why Watch
- Features a unique blend of horror and comedy elements.
- Follows a desperate protagonist whose get-rich-quick scheme involves lonely hearts ads.
- Introduces a conflicting plot twist involving a sloppy copycat killer.

### Caveats & Content Note
- It features a protagonist who is a psychotic cannibal and mutilates victims with a chainsaw.
- Tone & Suitability: The tone balances horror and comedy elements with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes.

**Micro-Themes & Vibe Matrix**: #horrormovie, #comedy, #cannibalism, #1988films, #serialkiller, #darkhumor

## Streaming Availability Matrix

| Region | Stream (Subscription) | Free / Ads | Rent / Buy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **United States (US)** | None | Tubi TV | Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube |
| **United Kingdom (GB)** | None | Tubi TV | Amazon Video, YouTube |
| **Canada (CA)** | None | None | YouTube |
| **Australia (AU)** | None | None | YouTube |

## Creative Credits

- **Directed by**: Lucio Fulci
- **Networks / Studios**: Alpha Cinematografica

## Key Cast Continuity

- **Brett Halsey** as *Lester Parson*
- **Zora Kerova** as *Virginia Field*
- **Al Cliver** as *Randy*
- **Sacha Darwin** as *Margie MacDonald*
- **Ria De Simone** as *Alice Shogun*
- **Marco Di Stefano** as *The Tramp*
- **Maurice Poli** as *TV Newscaster*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: Where can I stream Touch of Death?
Streaming availability is not specified in the provided text, though the movie database lists streaming options generally.

### Q: Is Touch of Death worth watching?
It is worth watching if you are interested in a horror-comedy about a cannibal dealing with a copycat killer.

### Q: What is the runtime of Touch of Death?
The film has a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes.

### Q: How many episodes does Touch of Death have?
Touch of Death is a feature-length film with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes rather than a television series with episodes.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [Touch of Death — The Movie Database (TMDB)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/28848)
- [Touch of Death (Video 1988) - Full cast & crew - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095941/fullcredits/)
- [Touch of Death (1988) - Cast & Crew - The Movie Database (TMDB)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/28848-quando-alice-ruppe-lo-specchio/cast)
- [Touch of Death (Lucio Fulci film) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touch_of_Death_(Lucio_Fulci_film))
- [Sigourney Weaver’s 20 best films – ranked! | Sigourney Weaver](https://www.theguardian.com/international)

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*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*