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Serial Killer Films & TV

Good Morning, Veronica: Veronica witnesses a woman's suicide in her homicide unit and what starts off as an investigation into a conman who drugs and robs women soon takes a grimmer turn. A serial killer is also at work. Noir isn't a dark enough word to describe this Brazilian drama which is replete with disturbing scenes of violence, torture and murder. A tale of conspiracy and police/political corruption stretching back for generations unfolds. Not for the squeamish or faint of heart. Created by Raphael Montes who wrote the novel it's based on. Eight episodes, on Netflix. 8/10.
 
The Alienist: Yet another psychiatrist helping to track down a serial killer this time in a wonderfully recreated New York. 1896. The background is fully fleshed out, a corrupt police force, their main function being to protect the rich. They allow child prostitution to flourish. Teddy Roosevelt is the new Police Commissioner and he's determined to clean things up. But the brothel owners who control other rackets can inspire riots. Especially when a serial killer is slaying boy prostitutes from immigrant backgrounds. The story unfolds over ten episodes as Roosevelt (Brian Geraghty) enlists his former college mates Dr Kreizler (Daniel Bruhl) and playboy John Moore (Luke Evans along with his secretary Sara Howard (Dakota Fanning) to join in the hunt for the killer. David Wilmot is great as the villainous police Captain Connor. Some really disturbing and violent scenes. Cannibalism, mutilation, the murderer operates on rooftops and in the sewers. New York in 1896 wasn't a pretty place if you were poor. 9/10. On Netflix.

The Alienist: Angel of Darkness. Season two of this wonderfully recreated New York of 1897. Sara (Dakota Fanning) has now opened her own private detective agency while John (Luke Evans) has become a reporter. Lazlo (Daniel Bruhl) continues with his work as a psychiatrist. AoD opens with a woman wrongfully executed for murdering her baby. It soon becomes clear that a serial killer is at work, abducting and murdering babies. A Lying In Hospital and it's director take care of the indiscretions of New York's wealthy men are involved. As the intrepid trio investigate they are at times both helped and hindered by the corrupt police department. William Randolph Hearst also features. A tale of two cities, one for the rich, the other for the poor; but both are New York/ The gangs of New York and their activities are created as is the back story of the serial killer and how a monster was created. Disturbing and violent scenes from the outset, very much an adult series. Great performances from the main cast and Rosie McEwen as a nurse and Frederick Schmidt as a gang leader. On Netflix. 9/10.
 
My Friend Dahmer: Biopic about Jeffrey Dahmer aged 14 -18 (based on a book by one of his school friends). Dahmer was encouraged in his odd behaviour by a group of "friends" who formed the Jeffrey Dahmer Fan Club. He would imitate others, throw false fits, mess up shops. Far darker though were his chemical experiments including dissolving dead animals in acid. he moved from this to killing animals and plotting to murder people, though his first killing likely occurred when he headed off to college. His mother suffered from severe psychiatric disorders, resulting in unpredictable behaviour, this along with the encouragement of his friends may have aided his journey towards an even darker and more violent adulthood. A dark film in which Dahmer is ably portrayed by Ross Lynch with Anne Heche as his mother. Written and Directed by Marc Meyers. https://www.channel4.com/programmes/my-friend-dahmer 8/10.
 
A Good Marriage looked like a cheapo TV movie. Much better on the page.

I was staggered at how badly adapted it was. When I first read the short story I was thinking that it would easily translate to the screen. It was just devoid of anything to make it engaging.
 
My Friend Dahmer
So what did you think of the film, Ramon? The film clearly depicted him as a very weird and very messed up teenager. But if you'd known him (as the person who wrote the book did), would you necessarily think he'd go on to do what he did? That was the crux of the film for me. I mean it's terrifying that someone could become that person. But could anyone have known what was brewing up in his head, or stopped it from happening. I think that's what it made me think about. What did you like about it that you gave it 8/10?
 
So what did you think of the film, Ramon? The film clearly depicted him as a very weird and very messed up teenager. But if you'd known him (as the person who wrote the book did), would you necessarily think he'd go on to do what he did? That was the crux of the film for me. I mean it's terrifying that someone could become that person. But could anyone have known what was brewing up in his head, or stopped it from happening. I think that's what it made me think about. What did you like about it that you gave it 8/10?

I thought the film was very dark, I haven't read the book so some of the actions portrayed which wren't witnessed by his friends or anyone else must be projections based on his later statements. Not everyone who has behavioural problems and is brought up in a dysfunctional home grows up to be a criminal let alone a serial killer. But Dahmer displayed the classic SK symptoms at the age of 14. Could he have been diverted from that path? Maybe. But the actions of his friends in not just indulging him but egging him on to greater excesses didn't help. His father tried to get him to stop some of the oddities regarding animals but his absence from the home at crucial times also helped the young Dahmer along the dark path. He eventually provided Jeffrey with the means to carry out his first murder. It's the build up of all of those events, the film getting darker and darker that led me to give it 8/10. There was a terrible inevitability to it all imho.
 
Thank you, that's interesting. That's the thing isn't it, that some people have been through terrible things in their childhoods and they don't grow up to do terrible things to other people. I guess the nature/nurture debate is relevant, and some people get a bad combination of both. Which is not to excuse anything of course. And that's interesting you mention about his friends (or maybe 'friends') egging him on - I'd kind of forgotten that aspect. I mean teenagers can be unpleasant gits to each other can't they and without the maturity to realise that what they're doing might not be doing the other person any good. His increasing weirdness would repel anyone that was concerned about him, and then he'd be even more isolated. One might say the adults at school should have stepped in more but then his father wasn't handling it very well either. No wonder the author felt he had to get his own feelings about the period straight in his mind. I realise now I've forgotten a lot of the detail and don't really feel like watching it again - it's not really comfortable viewing is it. But I know I felt it was well made and kept my attention as a film.
 
My Friend Dahmer: Biopic about Jeffrey Dahmer aged 14 -18 (based on a book by one of his school friends). Dahmer was encouraged in his odd behaviour by a group of "friends" who formed the Jeffrey Dahmer Fan Club. He would imitate others, throw false fits, mess up shops. Far darker though were his chemical experiments including dissolving dead animals in acid. he moved from this to killing animals and plotting to murder people, though his first killing likely occurred when he headed off to college. His mother suffered from severe psychiatric disorders, resulting in unpredictable behaviour, this along with the encouragement of his friends may have aided his journey towards an even darker and more violent adulthood. A dark film in which Dahmer is ably portrayed by Ross Lynch with Anne Heche as his mother. Written and Directed by Marc Meyers. https://www.channel4.com/programmes/my-friend-dahmer 8/10.
I was so disappointed with this film. Just found it really boring and hard work.
 
I was staggered at how badly adapted it was. When I first read the short story I was thinking that it would easily translate to the screen. It was just devoid of anything to make it engaging.
I haven't read the short story but when I read the synopsis for it I thought it would be pretty good!

It had so much potential and could have been good but it just wasn't.

Such a waste.
 
I was staggered at how badly adapted it was. When I first read the short story I was thinking that it would easily translate to the screen. It was just devoid of anything to make it engaging.

King's one of those authors who seems like he would be really easy to adapt, but he's actually deceptively tricky.
 
The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil: A South Korean thriller based on a true story. We've had tales of cops linking up with crooks before to pursue a joint interest, but this is a far darker tale where the quarry is a serial killer. He has tried to kill a gang boss, leaving him seriously injured, now the mobster joins up with his old cop enemy to catch the killer. They both know that they will try and cheat the other in the final toss of the dice, the detective want's the murderer brought to justice, the crook wants to kill him. Quite violent, not just the savage crimes committed by the "Devil" but also fights between rival gangsters. There is something eerily dark about watching the killer on the prowl, seeking out his victims, his mthod if stopping them, how he strikes. Maintains the tension throughout, a worthy addition to the South Korean Serial Killer Canon. Written and Directed by Lee Won-tae. On BBC4. 8/10.
 
One of the very few films i have actually felt uneasy watching is the Australian serial killer film 'Wolf Creek' its a film i dont think i will watch again, the scene in the carpark is just horrible.

Another Australian film that i liked was a vry strange offering, not sure if it counts as a serial killer film but 'Bad Boy Bubby' is certainly worth a watch if you like strange disturbing films. Here is the Guardian review:

https://www.theguardian.com/film/au...boy-bubby-rewatching-classic-australian-films
 
One of the very few films i have actually felt uneasy watching is the Australian serial killer film 'Wolf Creek' its a film i dont think i will watch again, the scene in the carpark is just horrible.

Another Australian film that i liked was a vry strange offering, not sure if it counts as a serial killer film but 'Bad Boy Bubby' is certainly worth a watch if you like strange disturbing films. Here is the Guardian review:

https://www.theguardian.com/film/au...boy-bubby-rewatching-classic-australian-films
Wolf creek is a great film!!
 
Torture porn is my favourite type of film category to watch so I love gore and violence and that kinda thing!
 
It is probably the fact that it is real and could happen again indeed :eek:
That's fair enough and I do see what you mean.

I sadly think the vastness of the place probably means that it is the perfect place for a serial killer to operate in.
 
Bitter Daisies: A Civil Guard detective, Rosa (Maria Mera) arrives in a small town in Galicia to investigate the disappearance of teen girl. It's one of those towns where everyone has a secret but underneath all of this far darker secrets are kept hidden. Even Rosa has her own secrets. Gradually the detective discovers links between the missing girl and possible murders. The girl had been blackmailing local men and she might have picked on the wrong person to cross. There is a Satanic Worship subplot and the series grows darker as the narrative unfolds. Some violent scenes but the real horror here is psychological as the nature of the secrets is revealed. Showrunner is Miguel Conde. On Netflix, six episodes of approximately 70 minutes each. Second season coning in April 2021. 8/10.
 
Bitter Daisies: A Civil Guard detective, Rosa (Maria Mera) arrives in a small town in Galicia to investigate the disappearance of teen girl. It's one of those towns where everyone has a secret but underneath all of this far darker secrets are kept hidden. Even Rosa has her own secrets. Gradually the detective discovers links between the missing girl and possible murders. The girl had been blackmailing local men and she might have picked on the wrong person to cross. There is a Satanic Worship subplot and the series grows darker as the narrative unfolds. Some violent scenes but the real horror here is psychological as the nature of the secrets is revealed. Showrunner is Miguel Conde. On Netflix, six episodes of approximately 70 minutes each. Second season coning in April 2021. 8/10.
Sounds really good! I don't have Netflix though :(
 
I wonder if you can buy the all seasons?
There are a few complete sets (series 1-15) for sale online.

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