It's a given that every time I see a movie about serial killers, I start watching my back in parking lots. Remember that scene in "The Silence of the Lambs" where Buffalo Bill lures an unsuspecting woman into his cargo van? To this day, I refuse to help anyone move furniture.
A good serial killer drama should work like a public service announcement. It should scare people enough that they become more aware of their surroundings and more afraid of the human beings who could be lurking in the night. Director E. Elias Merhige's "Suspect Zero" fails to do this.
Unlike genre greats "Psycho" and "The Silence of the Lambs," "Suspect Zero" is never dark enough, complex enough or scary enough to worry its viewers into awareness. I saw this movie by myself in the theater and was never once compelled to glance back over my shoulder.
Aaron Eckhart stars as FBI agent Thomas Mackelway, once a star officer now demoted for crossing the Mexican border to arrest a sex criminal on the run.
Ben Kingsley plays the crazy and dangerous Benjamin O'Ryan, the killer who Mackelway targets. He's a remote viewer, which means he's been trained to use his mind to plug into future events and situations. For some reason, he always chooses to focus on murders.
Carrie-Anne Moss rounds out the cast as Mackelway's love interest and stable FBI partner. Her dramatic intensity is wasted in this film. She's been down the psychological thriller road before, except last time it was filled with twists and turns and called "Memento" boulevard. Moss should stick to material worthy of her talents.
"Suspect Zero" tries too hard at creating a creepy atmosphere and not hard enough at presenting a fluid plot. Stormy nights, upside-down camera shots and scratchy red flash-forwards can't save a weak and poorly driven script.
For what it's worth, the acting is good, and when paired with some suspenseful music, the movie comes close to grabbing you despite its overly complicated plot.
There are better films in this genre worth your attention. Rent a classic thriller or the newly released on video "Taking Lives." And, if it's a theater thrill you're seeking, try "The Manchurian Candidate." Not exactly a serial killer story, its mystery, suspense and intelligence still puts "Suspect Zero" to shame.
