“Human… The Other White Meat!”
Based on one of the most harrowing true crime stories in Canadian history, Pig Killer (2022) is a brutally graphic and unsettling film that plunges viewers into the nightmarish world of Robert “Willy” Pickton — a pig farmer whose name became synonymous with horror.
🐷 A Descent into Madness
Director Chad Ferrin delivers a gritty and provocative portrayal of a man consumed by depravity. The film explores Pickton’s transformation from an eccentric hog farmer to one of the most prolific serial killers in North America. With chilling conviction, it captures the twisted reality of his crimes, which targeted vulnerable women from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
Accompanied by his massive hog, Balthazar, and an assortment of equally disturbed associates, Willy orchestrates a reign of terror spanning nearly two decades. The film spares no detail in its depiction of his “farmhouse of horrors” — a place where nearly 50 women met unspeakable fates.
🧠 Psychological Horror Meets True Crime
What sets Pig Killer apart is not just its shock value, but its disturbing psychological depth. While many films shy away from confronting the darkest corners of humanity, Pig Killer leans in — forcing the viewer to grapple with questions of complicity, social neglect, and moral decay. This isn’t just a gore-fest; it’s a sobering indictment of a system that failed dozens of women.
The film also critiques society’s indifference to marginalized communities, highlighting how Pickton operated in plain sight, undetected for years. The lack of attention given to his victims by authorities adds an additional layer of horror to the narrative.
⚖️ Verdict
Pig Killer is not for the faint of heart. It’s a gruesome, grimy, and deeply disturbing cinematic experience. But it’s also a daring work that confronts real-life evil without flinching. For true crime enthusiasts and horror veterans alike, this film will linger in your mind long after the credits roll.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Genre: Crime / Horror / Biopic
Director: Chad Ferrin
Notable for: Graphic violence, disturbing true story, sociopolitical undertones
