To Catch A Killer: Riveting Crime Thriller?

To Catch A Killer (2023/USA) is an engaging crime drama. It compels you to think about the prevalent gun culture in society. In it, a killer with a troubled mind goes on a mindless killing of people. And, now the question is when and how the killer will be caught?

This film is by the writer and director Damián David Szifron of the Oscar Award-nominated “Wild Tales” movie. We reviewed that film in the first week of May 2023 in our Focus Magazine.

Is The Gun Culture Really Helping USA Society Remain Safe?

Spoiler-Free Review: To Catch A Killer (2023/USA) Movie

The synopsis & the introduction

A modern-day Clarice Starling, Eleanor (Shailene Woodley) is a young police investigator wrestling with the demons of her past when she is recruited by the FBI's chief investigator (Ben Mendelsohn) to help profile and track the work of a disturbed individual. As the police and FBI launched a nationwide manhunt, they were thwarted at every turn by the individual’s unprecedented behaviour. Given her tortured psyche, Eleanor may be the only person who can understand the mind of their assailant and bring him to justice.

We all have read and heard about the prevalent gun culture in the USA. Also about the fact that Consumerism is the king in the Capitalist society of America. Hence, the demand for meats, guns, urbanisation, etc. must be met by their suppliers. Against, this kind of backdrop, its writer has woven a crime thriller.

The basic story of the film

In this particular film, an individual with a troubled mind holds a deadly gun and decides to wreak havoc in the city of Baltimore in this action flick. As the FBI and the local police authorities scramble to search for the nameless and faceless executioner – the highly skilled misanthrope remains elusive.

Only one intelligent police officer, Eleanor Falco (Shailene Woodley), has any sort of idea to identify and catch the killer.

What issues does this film talk about?

Thus, we can see that by using its characters, the film raises a few pertinent and problematic questions about contemporary American society. It visualizes the morality, philosophy, economic model, politics and bureaucratic systems. various other aspects of the American society.

So, what we liked and disliked in this film

We loved the first forty-five minutes of this movie very much. But in the second half of the almost two-hour-long film. Our interest waned as it headed towards its suspenseful ending. Our love was turned into a liking. It could not sustain our interest. Maybe because of its loose and lengthy script. Perhaps it tried to tackle far too many issues plaguing modern American society. Maybe a focused approach could have helped to tighten its screenplay. Despite its shortcomings, we believe it is a good movie. It explores the challenges of carrying out investigative procedures in the bureaucratic set-up.

Especially when it includes the FBI as well as the local police department. Also, we must honestly admit that the good acting from Shailene Woodley and Ben Mendelsohn kept its perplexing mystery alive, as their team sought to catch an anonymous (and faceless) killer.

The conclusion

We have seen some of the dreadful movies released this year, which we did not feel like reviewing because of the questionable quality of their content. However, we reiterate that ‘To Catch A Killer’ is quite a good and thoughtful crime thriller film in the first half of the year. It is a riveting crime thriller movie.

Rating: To Catch A Killer (2023/USA) Movie

Poster: To Catch A Killer (2023/USA) Movie

Key Details: To Catch A Killer (2023/USA) Movie

Trailer: To Catch A Killer (2023/USA) Movie

Now you can rent and watch To Catch a Killer | YouTube Movies

Bonus Info. about its lead actress Shailene Woodley

American actress and environmental activist Shailene Woodley has been taking up the grave issues affecting the indigenous Native American people, for instance, in 2016, she stood with the Water Protectors at Standing Rock and was jailed for her activism there. The young actress is also known for popular movies like The Descendants (2011), The Spectacular Now (2013), Divergent (2014) & The Fault in Our Stars (2014), and The Last Letter from Your Lover (2021); besides the well-known series like Big Little Lies (2017-2019).

Spoiler Alert: a bunch of good dialogues from this crime thriller

Eleanor: Why did you sign that memo?  

Lammark: You can't fight every battle. Have to choose the ones you can win.  

Eleanor: Yeah, but when you sign, you're a part of the game.  

Lammark: And when you don't, they replace you. The only decision you're making is whether to be buried or burned.

Eleanor: How long have you been married?  

Lammark: Ever since we were allowed.

Featured Image and poster: To Catch A Killer movie | Sky Cinema.