To Catch a Killer movie review

MOVIE TITLE: To Catch a Killer

This mystery thriller movie is now available to stream online.

RATING: R

LENGTH: 1 hour 59 minutes

MOVIE REVIEW MOM GRADE: B+

IN A NUTSHELL:

It’s New Year’s Eve in Baltimore. A talented but troubled police offers is recruited by the FBI’s chief investigator to help profile and track down a disturbed individual terrorizing the city.

The dramatic thriller was directed by Damian Szifron, who also wrote the screenplay with Jonathan Wakeham.

The movie isn’t getting much love for this film, earning a low 50% on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences are loving it, however, and awarding the crime drama 81%.

THINGS I LIKED:

The cat-and-mouse thriller features excellent performances by Shailene Woodley, Ben Mendelsohn, and Jovan Adepo. It’s good to see Shailene Woodley in something again. She also helped produce the film.
Lovely original music by Carter Burwell.
Interesting fact: the movie was originally called “Misanthrope”, which I actually think is a better, more descriptive title for the content.
Damian Szifron’s direction is stylish and gritty. All of the camera work was excellent. I thought the swimming perspective was super cool.
There are plenty of shoot ‘em up scenes and action sequences.
It’s fascinating to watch the detective work to find the elusive criminal.
The night scenes are plenty, yet bright enough to see what’s happening, even on small streaming devices.
We get to know quite a few characters to better understand them and their decisions.
The sound effects were completely believable.
You’ll feel some satisfaction and closure at the end; however, if the movie does well at the box office (online streaming in this case), there is an open window for a sequel.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

The big plot hole is that the FBI would want to work with a young city police officer to solve a hugely publicized mass murder.
The high dead-body count with brutal deaths is shocking.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Brutal, bloody deaths
Very high dead-body count
Profanity, including many F-bombs
Alcohol
Talk of addiction
We see bloodied, dead animals in a meat-packing plant.

THEMES:

PTSD
Perseverance
Addition
American greed
Keeping your mind open
Power and control
Lots of different firearms
Anti-gun sentiment
Hatred for mankind and society
Society
Companionship

FUNNY LINES:

“Opinions never caught anyone.” – Geoffrey Lammark (Ben Mendelsohn)
“He’s not a type. He’s a person.” – Geoffrey Lammark (Ben Mendelsohn)
“How long have you been married?” – Eleanor (Shailene Woodley) “Ever since it was allowed.” – Geoffrey Lammark (Ben Mendelsohn)

INTERESTING LINES:

“I’d rather be hated for what I am than loved for what I’m not.” – Curt Cobain (as spoken by Shailene’s character)
“Some kid just lost his father, all ‘cuz you’re conflicted?” – Eleanor (Shailene Woodley)