Q, also known as Q: The Winged Serpent, is a horror film released in 1982. The film was directed by Larry Cohen and starred Michael Moriarty, Candy Clark, and David Carradine. The movie revolves around the discovery of a giant Aztec flying lizard that has been terrorizing New York City.
As the story goes, the monster is a deity known as Quetzalcoatl, which had been summoned back to life by an Aztec cult. The creature lays eggs on top of skyscrapers and feeds on the people of the city. In response, the police form a special task force to track down and kill the beast.
The ex-con mentioned in the synopsis is named Jimmy Quinn, played by Michael Moriarty. Quinn is a small-time criminal who stumbles upon the monster's lair while attempting to rob an office building. He sees the opportunity to cash in on the knowledge and blackmails the cult, hoping to secure a large sum of money.
Meanwhile, the police, led by Detective Shepard (David Carradine), are racing against time to stop the creature before it can cause any more havoc. As the body count rises, Quinn's greed becomes his undoing as he becomes the monster's next target.
Q is a cult classic that is remembered for its blend of horror, humor, and intrigue. The film's special effects, which were cutting-edge for the time, still hold up today and add to the overall appeal of the movie.