Synopsis
Fisher, an ex-detective, decides to take one final case when a mysterious serial killer claims the lives of several young girls. Fisher, unable to find the culprit, turns to Osbourne, a writer who was once respected for his contributions to the field of criminology. Fisher begins to use Osbourne's technique, which involves empathizing with serial killers; however, as the detective becomes increasingly engrossed in this method, things take a disturbing turn.
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Cast
- Michael ElphickFisher
- Esmond KnightOsborne
- Me Me LaiKim
- Jerold WellsKramer
- Ahmed El ShenawiTherapist
- Astrid Henning-JensenHouse Keeper
- Janos HerskoCoroner
- Stig LarssonCoroner's Assistant
- Harry HarperPortier 1
- Roman MoszkowiczPortier 2
Recommendations
- 83
The A.V. Club
Crime's dreamlike tone and fantastic visuals make it impossible to forget, like an absurd nightmare that overshadows the following day. Even if Von Trier never made another movie, viewers would still watch and admire this debut. - 83
Portland Oregonian
Most memorable for its startling color scheme, all sepia-toned monochrome with occasional stabs of icy blue. [23 Mar 2001] - 80
Time Out
A cinephile's film, stuffed with influences and allusions which, together with the precocious brilliance of every single image, can become numbing at times rather than stunning; but the absolute assurance and ingenuity make this a debut as startling as Eraserhead and every bit as spectacular. - 67
Austin Chronicle
Unsettling and odd, it's the perfect film for a dreary, rainy day. - 60
The New York Times
A film noir that's murky without being terribly mysterious. - 40
TV Guide Magazine
Filmed with great visual style, the film looks terrific but makes almost no sense save for its "insider" references to such films noir as Jean Luc Godard's Alphaville and Fritz Lang's M.
