Felt the need to review since this one has been panned here on Google, spoilers-ish thoughts may abound. I suppose I can understand the dislikes, itโs a tad slow to start, and thereโs no killing from the serial killer, but there is a very solid game of cat and mouse. The trap itself is simple and not the best premise, but itโs how the chess match between Cooper and the FBI develops thatโs interesting. Thereโs no 100/100 reveal to this serial killer flick, because we already know โwhodunnitโ. But there are several twists and surprises that unfold making the battle more interesting.
And for those who feels the acting and directing is bad? I simply canโt agree. Harnett nails the socially incapable sociopath who has to act sociable. Enough so to fool his family for years? And to con his way out of a high-security stadium? He has a slightly off-putting nature that is ramped up in the heat of the moment, leading up to his daughter even taking notice. Heโs cracking, but not breaking. Itโs a fight against the law after all.
The film overall is about a 7.5/10 for me. The score doesnโt wow, the original songs from our make-believe pop star are fine, liken to an Olivia Rodrigo type I feel. No other actors stand out like Harnett, but, I give the 5 stars here to give you considerations to watch. If you do, donโt let other reviews or preconceived notions about serial killer/crime media influence you. If you donโt like it, I get it. But thereโs a lot here to like in M. Nightโs best movie in years (and years and years, really).