To Catch a Killer
To Catch a Killer
An intuitive but troubled police officer is recruited by an FBI expert to stop a relentless shooter who is terrorizing Baltimore.
Kevin Ward reviewedJuly 2, 2025
Surprisingly entertaining investigative thriller that sees Shailene Woodley and Ben Mendelsohn teaming up to catch a killer (for lack of a better phrase). The film’s opening is particularly engaging and features some interesting cinematography, as well. Director Damián Szifron utilizes upside-down shots and overhead and artfully mixes into the lead up to the inciting crime, a mass shooting executed with a sniper rifle. The feel of the opening had echoes of what I felt when The Beltway Snipers we're terrorizing the DC area. There’s something innately terrifying about murders committed seemingly at random. That tension is carried through much of the film. Mendelsohn in particular was excellent as lead investigator. Unfortunately, the film finds a rather lackluster conclusion that nearly derails the entire film. What happens to Woodley’s character at the end feels completely unrealistic and unearned, Mendelsohn’s character arc was satisfying, and the killer’s ultimate motivations is messy (at best).
We pretty let down by the ending because up until then I was at a solid 3.5. I’d still consider this a mild recommendation, though.