The Nickel Cinema
117-119 Clerkenwell Road
London, EC1R 5BY
A fully licensed grindhouse cinema, bar and video shop
Tues - Sat
From 3pm
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DAY OF ANGER
(1967, Italy, Tonino Valerii)
“Justice isn’t given. It’s taken—one shot at a time.”
Scott Mary, a quiet drifter with a shadowy past, arrives in a dusty frontier town ruled by the ruthless landowner Frank Talby. When Talby’s tyranny escalates, Scott trains under the legendary Ben to take on the corrupt forces and bring law to the lawless—gunfire, revenge, and redemption guaranteed.
Directed by Tonino Valerii (The Price of Power), and featuring a blazing score by Riz Ortolani, Day of Anger is a classic spaghetti western packed with gritty shootouts, complex characters, and moral ambiguity. It’s the perfect storm of style and substance that helped define the genre’s golden era.
This is justice, on the edge of a trigger.
FIVE GRAVES TO CAIRO
(1943, USA, Billy Wilder)
Presented on 16mm film
“Enemy secrets buried in the desert sands.”
Set against the sun-blasted backdrop of World War II North Africa, a weary British soldier poses as a German officer at a remote desert hotel to gather vital intelligence. But when a sultry French woman and suspicious Nazis enter the picture, loyalties blur and danger escalates with every shifting dune.
Directed by Billy Wilder before his legendary Hollywood peak, Five Graves to Cairo is a taut, atmospheric spy thriller packed with suspense, dry wit, and one of Erich von Stroheim’s final unforgettable performances.
A classic war thriller, stripped to its bare essentials—where every shadow hides a threat.
CHAMPAGNE AND BULLETS (AKA Get Even)
(1994, USA, William A. Graham)
“Smooth talk, bad acting, and bullets flying everywhere.”
Wings Hauser stars in this gloriously awful ‘90s noir knockoff where a private eye chases vengeance through a fog of terrible dialogue, wild plot twists, and more cheese than a pizza parlor. Expect over-the-top acting, laugh-out-loud moments, and all the clichés you never knew you loved.
Champagne and Bullets is so bad it’s brilliant—a cult guilty pleasure for fans of gloriously goofy crime flicks that crash and burn in the best way.
Popcorn mandatory. Enjoy the chaos.
LA PRISONNIÈRE
(1968, France, Henri-Georges Clouzot)
“A woman’s desire becomes her cage.”
When a glamorous art dealer spirals into obsession and jealousy, La Prisonnière unravels a dark tale of erotic torment and psychological intrigue set against the elegant Parisian art world. Passion turns to prison as control slips away in this haunting exploration of love, possession, and madness.
Directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot (The Wages of Fear, Les Diaboliques), this sultry psychological thriller is drenched in sensual tension and moody shadows—a stunning final masterpiece from one of French cinema’s great masters.
Beauty is captivity. Desire is the key.
CRIMES OF PASSION
(1984, USA, Ken Russell)
“Love is a dangerous game—especially when obsession takes over.”
In this lurid and stylish erotic thriller, manic fashion designer Joanna Crane leads a double life: by day, she rules the runway; by night, she prowls the city as a mysterious prostitute known as China Blue. When her worlds collide, secrets unravel in a violent, twisted tale of passion, betrayal, and revenge.
Directed by Ken Russell (The Devils, Altered States), Crimes of Passion mixes pulp noir aesthetics with surreal excess, delivering a provocative and unforgettable exploration of desire’s dark side.
Danger wears high heels.
BLUE SUNSHINE
(1977, USA, Jeff Lieberman)
Part of our Bad Acid Double Feature - This screening includes a video mixtape intermission and an exclusive video interview with director Jeff Lieberman.
“What if the sunshine turns your mind to poison?”
After a series of bizarre murders, a man discovers that years ago, he and others took a mysterious batch of LSD called “Blue Sunshine” — a drug that causes its users to lose their hair and descend into violent psychosis. As paranoia spirals, reality twists into a nightmare of madness and terror.
Jeff Lieberman’s Blue Sunshine is a cult horror-thriller that perfectly captures the dark side of ‘70s psychedelic experimentation, blending trippy visuals with a creeping sense of dread.
I DRINK YOUR BLOOD
(1970, USA, David E. Durston)
Part of our Bad Acid Double Feature
“Spiked meat pies. Frothing hippies. Small town carnage.”
When a rabies-infected goat’s blood contaminates a pack of Satan-worshipping hippies, the town’s about to get a whole lot nastier. A grotesque rampage of frothing, bloodthirsty maniacs fueled by rabies and revenge explodes in this psychedelic gorefest.
Directed by David E. Durston, I Drink Your Blood is an outrageously bonkers cult classic—equal parts shock, chaos, and ‘70s acid-fueled madness. You won’t forget the meat pies. Or the madness.
THE STABILIZER
(1986, Indonesia, Arizal)
Part of our Blammo! Action Triple Feature
“Gunfire, kung fu, and a one-man mission.”
When a mysterious assassin known only as The Stabilizer is hired to take down a ruthless crime syndicate, the streets explode with relentless action, explosive stunts, and non-stop martial arts mayhem. No one is safe, and no punch goes unthrown.
Directed by Arizal, The Stabilizer is a wild, high-octane Indonesian action flick packed with jaw-dropping fight scenes and over-the-top thrills. If you want pure adrenaline and no-nonsense badassery, this is your ticket.
Ready, set, BAM!
£20 TICKET FOR OUR ENTIRE ACTION TRIPLE FEATURE HERE
DEADBEAT AT DAWN
(1988, USA, James Melkonian)
Part of our Blammo! Action Triple Feature
“Street gangs, violence, and one man’s brutal redemption.”
When gang leader Goose battles rival crews and his own demons, the city becomes a battleground of fists, guns, and shattered loyalties. In this raw, gritty tale, survival means fighting with everything you’ve got—no matter the cost.
Directed by visionary madman Jim Van Beeber, Deadbeat at Dawn is a cult classic punk-fueled urban action film, packed with savage fights, stark emotion, and a soundtrack that hits like a punch.
Blood, sweat, and chaos—welcome to the streets.
£20 TICKET FOR OUR ENTIRE ACTION TRIPLE FEATURE HERE
GUNBLAST
(1989, USA, Nick Millard)
Part of our Blammo! Action Triple Feature
“Bad guys beware. One man’s got a score to settle—with bullets flying.”
After a deadly betrayal, a lone ex-cop takes on a ruthless gang in a gritty showdown packed with gunfights, explosions, and relentless action. No rules, no mercy, just a one-man war.
Directed by cult auteur Nick Millard, Gunblast is a low-budget, high-energy grindhouse
thriller that delivers non-stop shootouts and old-school tough-guy vibes. Perfect for fans of raw, no-frills action mayhem.
Lock and load.
£20 TICKET FOR OUR ENTIRE ACTION TRIPLE FEATURE HERE
ALL THAT JAZZ
(1979, USA, Bob Fosse)
“Life’s a show, and the spotlight never fades.”
A brilliant but self-destructive choreographer pushes the limits of his body and mind in a dazzling, darkly autobiographical musical that blurs the line between reality and performance. As his world spins out of control, the music keeps playing—and the dance goes on.
Directed by Bob Fosse, All That Jazz is a visually stunning, emotionally raw masterpiece, full of unforgettable numbers and searing insight into ambition, mortality, and the price of greatness.
PSYCHOMANIA
(1973, UK, Don Sharp)
The Dead Still Ride… the Living Howl in Terror!
A gang of young people call themselves the Living Dead. They terrorize the population from their small town. After an agreement with the devil, if they kill themselves firmly believing in it, they will survive and gain eternal life. Following their leader, they commit suicide one after the other, but things don’t necessarily turn out as expected…
THE ROAD TO SALINA
(1970, France/Italy, Georges Lautner)
“A long, lonely journey into a family’s dark secrets.”
After a chance encounter, a young drifter is drawn into an isolated, enigmatic household where love, deception, and danger intertwine beneath the scorching sun. As mysteries unravel, the line between care and control blurs in this atmospheric psychological drama.
Directed by Georges Lautner, The Road to Salina is a hypnotic and unsettling exploration of identity and survival in an unforgiving landscape.
TENEBRAE
(1982, Italy, Dario Argento)
“A killer’s game hides in plain sight.”
When a bestselling author becomes entwined in a series of brutal murders, shadows lengthen and secrets multiply. As the body count rises, nothing is what it seems, and trust becomes a deadly gamble.
Directed by Dario Argento, Tenebræ is a stylish and suspenseful giallo thriller, drenched in vivid color and tense atmosphere, where every detail could be a clue—or a trap.
IVANSXTC
(2000, USA, Bernard Rose)
Part of our Los Angeles Hates Itself Season
“Hollywood’s shadows hide more than just stars.”
In a surreal dive into the dark heart of Tinseltown, a disillusioned producer spirals through the chaos of ambition, addiction, and broken dreams. Reality blurs as decadence and desperation collide in a city that devours its own.
Directed by Bernard Rose, IvansXTC is a moody, unsettling portrait of Hollywood’s underbelly, filled with biting satire and fractured characters.
HOLLYWOOD 90028
(1977, USA, Christina Hornisher)
Part of our Los Angeles Hates Itself Season
“Neon lights, broken dreams, and streets that never sleep.”
In the underbelly of ‘70s Hollywood, a tough-as-nails private eye navigates a world of corruption, violence, and sleaze to uncover the truth behind a deadly conspiracy. Fast cars, femme fatales, and relentless danger lurk at every corner.
Directed by Christina Hornisher, Hollywood 90028 is a gritty exploitation thriller pulsing with raw energy and classic grindhouse grit.
VIY
(1967, USSR, Konstantin Ershov & Georgiy Kropachyov)
“A folk nightmare steeped in candle wax and coffin dust.”
The first Soviet horror film, Viy conjures a tale from Gogol’s gothic folklore, where a seminary student is tasked with praying over a dead witch—only to face a crescendo of supernatural terror. With hand-crafted special effects, eerie atmosphere, and grimly comic undertones, it’s a baroque vision of fear that dances between the sacred and the profane.
RESERVOIR DOGS
(1992, USA, Quentin Tarantino)
Come and see Reservoir Dogs where it was supposed to be seen - at your local grindhouse cinema - and for our tribute to the late great Michael Madsen.
A special one-off screening in 4K.
THE LAST HORROR FILM
(1982, USA, David Winters)
“A fan’s dark obsession becomes a deadly nightmare.”
When a fading horror star crosses paths with an obsessed fan, the lines between admiration and terror blur in this self-aware, twisted thriller. As fantasies turn fatal, nothing is safe—not even the screen.
Directed by David Winters, The Last Horror Film is a sly, meta-horror gem packed with suspense, dark humor, and a chilling performance by Joe Spinell.
THE SERVANT
(1963, UK, Joseph Losey)
Presented on 16mm film
“A masterclass in power and deception.”
In a sleek London townhouse, the delicate balance between master and servant twists into a gripping psychological battle. Loyalties shift, secrets unravel, and control becomes the ultimate weapon.
Directed by Joseph Losey and written by Harold Pinter, The Servant is a taut, unsettling exploration of class, manipulation, and identity, elevated by impeccable performances and sharp dialogue.
(1963, UK, Joseph Losey)
Presented on 16mm film
“A masterclass in power and deception.”
In a sleek London townhouse, the delicate balance between master and servant twists into a gripping psychological battle. Loyalties shift, secrets unravel, and control becomes the ultimate weapon.
Directed by Joseph Losey and written by Harold Pinter, The Servant is a taut, unsettling exploration of class, manipulation, and identity, elevated by impeccable performances and sharp dialogue.
BAD LIEUTENANT
(1992, USA, Abel Ferrara)
With an introduction by the novelist and critic Rob Doyle
“A corrupt cop walking the razor’s edge between sin and redemption.”
Harvey Keitel delivers a raw, unflinching performance as a morally bankrupt detective spiraling through addiction, guilt, and violence in a New York City that’s as grim as his soul. The line between lawman and lawbreaker blurs in this gritty urban odyssey.
Directed by Abel Ferrara, Bad Lieutenant is a harrowing dive into the darkest corners of human nature, uncompromising and unforgettable.
TETSUO: THE IRON MAN
(1989, Japan, Shinya Tsukamoto)
“A visceral fusion of flesh and metal.”
In a relentless assault on the senses, a man’s body begins to transform into cold, unyielding machinery, blurring the line between human and industrial nightmare. Urban decay, raw energy, and body horror collide in a nightmarish vision of modernity run amok.
Directed by Shinya Tsukamoto, Tetsuo: The Iron Man is a groundbreaking cyberpunk cult classic—gritty, chaotic, and hypnotically intense.
PETEY WHEATSTRAW
(1977, USA, Cliff Roquemore)
Part of our Bizarro Blaxploitation Double Feature
“Devil-made man with a deal to steal.”
After selling his soul to the devil, Petey Wheatstraw returns as the “Root Doctor” — part charmer, part avenger — ready to settle scores with a supernatural swagger. Equal parts comedy, horror, and funky blaxploitation flair, this cult classic mixes sharp wit with over-the-top style.
Directed by Cliff Roquemore, Petey Wheatstraw is a wild ride through magic, mischief, and ‘70s streetwise cool.
WELCOME HOME BROTHER CHARLES
(1975, USA, Jamaa Fanaka)
Part of our Bizarro Blaxploitation Double Feature
“A preacher’s return stirs up the streets—and the spirits.”
Brother Charles comes home with a mission: to cleanse his community of corruption and sin. But his righteous crusade blurs the line between salvation and vengeance, unleashing chaos in this gritty, unconventional blaxploitation drama.
Directed by Jamaa Fanaka, Welcome Home Brother Charles mixes raw emotion, social commentary, and cult weirdness into a powerful underground classic.
BLONDE DEATH
(1984, USA, James Dillinger)
Presented on VHS
“A razor-sharp cult classic made from next to nothing.”
A made for zero budget SOV (shot-on-video) masterpiece, Blonde Death is a treasure trove of brilliant, snappy dialogue and DIY creativity. This underground LA gem showcases what fearless filmmaking can do when style and wit come first, proving you don’t need money—just guts.
Shot on a shoestring, packed with attitude, and dripping with cult charisma.
HARDCORE
(1979, USA, Paul Schrader)
Part of our Los Angeles Hates Itself Season
Featuring a video interview with Legs McNeil
“A father’s desperate search through the underbelly of sin.”
When a conservative Midwestern businessman’s daughter vanishes, he plunges into the seedy world of Los Angeles’ porn industry, confronting its dark realities and moral decay. A gritty, unflinching exploration of exploitation and obsession.
Directed by Paul Schrader, Hardcore is a powerful drama that balances raw emotion with social commentary.
Featuring a special video interview with Legs McNeil, co-founder of Punk magazine and author of The Other Hollywood, offering insider perspective on underground culture and the film’s lasting impact.
THE HEARTBREAK KID
(1972, USA, Elaine May)
“A comedy of love, disaster, and unforgettable missteps.”
After a whirlwind romance, a newlywed discovers his bride isn’t quite what he expected—sending him on a hilarious and awkward journey through marriage and heartbreak. Elaine May’s sharp wit and incisive direction make this a standout dark comedy about relationships and self-discovery.
Directed by and starring Elaine May’s signature blend of humor and insight, The Heartbreak Kid remains a timeless exploration of love’s complications.
117-119 Clerkenwell Road
London, EC1R 5BY
A fully licensed grindhouse cinema, bar and video shop
Shop: Tues-Sat
3.30pm until screenings
Instagram | X | Email
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