To Catch a Killer

I have to say that the pace of the film and the way the whole first half literally moved forward had me hooked from the start. It simply seemed to have that energy of similar crime thrillers that I've been missing for the last few years, and it engulfed me right from the start. Well, add to that the excellent Ben Mendelsohn and Shailene Woodley, both of whom are spot on, but on top of that a lot of previously unseen and acting that was a breath of fresh air to cinema, I'm actually satisfied. The whole investigation, the chemistry between the detectives, the opening gunfight where a dude mows down 30 people with a sniper rifle during a midnight New Year's Eve and the direction of the investigation was just fun and had its own charm. The only thing that bothers me a bit to give it four stars is the last 25 minutes, when I was getting a little bit crazy in my seat with the length and I could have imagined it to be more brisk or shorter, but all in all this is a very good (and for me unknown why) and very novel film that should make fans of the genre happy. (21/05/2023)

So many social commentary themes are touched upon that none are explored in depth, but it remains a solid crime drama with good timing for both light relief and a factual jab at the power-hungry higher-ups who know full well that the mayor from Jaws stayed in office even in the sequel. It’s a shame that it didn’t avoid some classic genre clichés (detectives going alone to a dangerous place with only their vanity and the screenwriter’s will to back them up), but let’s be grateful for any attempt at a higher level that athletes like Fincher and Villeneuve have managed. P.S.: Ben Mendelsohn's sharp investigator dispensing professional and life wisdom deserves a series of his own, though it probably won’t happen. (29/05/2023)

It starts off with a very original and promising setup, with the prospect of a good and dark detective story. However, it gradually veers into psychological drama and loses its momentum. Personally, I could have done without the gloomy passages delving into the self-harm history of the main character, which seem to contribute to the overall atmosphere of "nobody understands me, and I'm troubled," but it didn't work for me. Thumbs up for the relatively uncensored mass shooting and the highly pessimistic yet realistic ending. Thumbs down for the unfinished details that could have elevated the movie. Nevertheless, I still consider it decent, and decent gets a solid three :) (30/06/2023)

More of a statement about the state of contemporary society than a pure crime story. The main quality of To Catch a Killer lies in its very skillful portrayal of contemporary America. It's about the two perspectives presented and getting out of the reality of two jobs, a shitty rental and debts into the world of swingers, signatures and pats on the back. The investigative line is bleak and plainspoken with a great Ben Mendelsohn and a make-up free Shailene Woodley, whose ordinariness as a smart girl who had bad luck in her childhood and less than ideal living conditions fits beautifully into the setting. The hunt for the killer is thrilling and the strange ending makes you think, something you don't see often these days. Szifrón's direction is precise and with a slightly better script this would have been an excellent film. Great cinematography, good music. A very pleasant surprise. (22/05/2023)

The movie started so well that I let my guard down and eagerly anticipated a genuine thriller experience. However, my excitement soon turned to disappointment as the plot unfolded. It became evident that the film was yet another platform for supposedly socially conscious activism, sidelining the action-packed suspense in favor of spotlighting various agendas. I was genuinely irked by how the atmosphere shifted for the worse after the gripping introduction, leaving behind quality suspense. It just wasn't the same anymore, and I'm certain Shailene Woodley wasn't to blame. No, it was the screenplay that began accumulating logical inconsistencies. As a result, my rating didn't go over three stars, which is sad considering the movie's fantastic beginning. (10/11/2023)