MS 45

Abel Ferrara’s Ms .45 (1981) follows Thana, a young non-verbal seamstress living in New York. After experiencing two violent assaults in a single day, she manages to defend herself against the second attacker and takes his .45 pistol. This traumatic turning point triggers a deep psychological unraveling, leading her to lash out at men she perceives as threatening or exploitative.

The film explores the darker corners of urban life and portrays how shock and trauma can push someone into extreme and destructive behaviour. It is an atmospheric, unsettling and visually striking portrait of a woman who feels invisible and unsafe in her environment – until her response spirals out of control.

Ms .45 has become a cult favourite and remains a defining work in Ferrara’s early filmography for its stark mood and uncompromising storytelling.