New on VOD and distributed by IFC Midnight is the
psychological thriller I Am Not a Serial
Killer, which manages to cross over into multiple genres. If you like
1980’s cinema and the new phenomena that is Stranger
Things, then you may want to watch this rather engrossing mix of styles
that matches the likes of Stephen King, John Carpenter, The Hidden (1987), and Henry:
The Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986). The story involves the sociopathic
teen named John Wayne Cleaver (Max Records) who becomes obsessed with tracking
down a local serial killer, only to discover a secret even more dark and
unusual than he could have suspected.
The plot does a superb job of drawing you in once you know
the truth and keeping you completely engaged right up until the end. The
dialogue for the main character is fantastic and it has a decent amount of dark
humor tossed in. It focuses a great deal on his psychology and trying to
prevent himself from becoming a serial killer, while at the same time battling
the opposing evil that is in his town. The
screenplay is based upon a novel written by Dan Wells.
The cast all do a fine job, but most of the characters are
rather one dimensional. The main focus is on John and the old man next door neighbor
named Crowley (Christopher Lloyd). Records is excellent as the lead teen, we
witness a great deal of range as he shows his obsessions and vast knowledge of
serial killers, his psychotic potential, his rage, and fear during intense
situations. Lloyd has played strange and peculiar before, but never has he been
this terrifying.
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| I am not a bunny rabbit. |
The direction is well done and we get some good close up
shots and some nice light and shadows in various sequences. The cinematography
isn’t going to blow anyone away, but it works for this one. They use a series
of quick visuals, imagery, and noises to further mess with the psychology of
the main character and create some additional tension for the viewers. The
score is outstanding and definitely 1980’s inspired. While there are some rocks
songs mixed in, it’s mostly a synthesized score that is reminiscent of the
music from the Phantasm series.
Despite being labeled a psychological thriller, you will
quickly realize as the movie moves near the second act that this is a
combination of multiple genres.
If you’re a fan of any of the above, then you won’t want to
miss out on this uniquely bizarre motion picture.
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Score:
- Raul Vantassle