Well, with a name like this, you definitely know that it falls into the Nunsploitation category. Without having seen this title, or knowing the premise, I already knew it was Italian - and it is, directed by Giulio Berruti. Only something with the name "The Killer Nun" could it come from Italy, and only from the 1970's. To be honest I don't even know where to start with the analysis for this one...there's not too much to say and plenty to mention all at the same time.
There are nuns. There are lesbian undertones. There is nudity, sex, and a fair amount of weakly-displayed violence that virtually has no effect whatsoever on the viewer. There are only a handful of films that people consider to exist in the Nunsploitation category with this one leading the pack...now I almost have to see the others just so I can see what I'm missing out on. I don't know how to convey my thoughts concerning the plot - some nun who works at a hospital has a heroine and morphine addiction and is paranoid about her possible diagnosis of cancer. Of course they have to throw in Giallo elements, or to us Americans, the Who-dun-it.
I'm not racist by any means, but this is typical 70's Italian sleaze in every sense of the word. If I was the type of person to be offended by movies, which I'm not, this title would probably manage to do that on every level. I invite films to explore and display themes not socially acceptable if they manage to have an impact. Berruti's resume is pitiful and I wouldn't be surprised if he was run out of town after making this.
My conclusion: it's not thrilling, shocking or stimulating. I would rather use the box art for this film to line the bottom of my cat's litter box. If any of you have ever thought about seeing a lesbian nun with a drug addiction and possible murderous tendencies then you should look no further.