Hazel Micallef (Susan Sarandon) is the detective superintendent of the small quiet town of Fort Dundas, Ontario, Canada. She likes her liquor and pills. She's recovering from back problems and OD hospitalization. Her mother (Ellen Burstyn) is concerned. She finds an elder almost decapitated. It's the first murder in four years. Detective Ray Green (Gil Bellows) asks for outside help but she rejects the concern. Ben Wingate (Topher Grace) is the new deputy arriving from Toronto. Another murder occurs in a nearby jurisdiction and they're called in. The victim's stomach has been removed and fed to the dogs. Hazel asks for help fearing a serial killer but is rejected. As more victims are uncovered, they find their mouths have been manipulated and Father Price (Donald Sutherland) is consulted. Meanwhile, a waitress (Kristin Booth) invites a mystery man (Christopher Heyerdahl) to her home to treat her terribly ill daughter.
This cast is surprisingly first rate for a small Canadian serial killer movie. It has a quiet moodiness similar to those Scandinavian killing films. It does have a bit of humor which differentiates it and gives it its Canadianishness. It's an enticing serial killer movie even if it's a little slow. There isn't any mystery as the killer is shown early on. It is very questionable that this small town police officer is hopping across the country without contacting the local cops. The murders are not maximum compelling due to the cooperating victims. The big time cast keeps it interesting but it's not quite the moody indie thriller it hopes to be. The last act is over-extended. The killer returns back to the town which erases one of the killing's premise. All in all, it's a flawed but interesting film.
This cast is surprisingly first rate for a small Canadian serial killer movie. It has a quiet moodiness similar to those Scandinavian killing films. It does have a bit of humor which differentiates it and gives it its Canadianishness. It's an enticing serial killer movie even if it's a little slow. There isn't any mystery as the killer is shown early on. It is very questionable that this small town police officer is hopping across the country without contacting the local cops. The murders are not maximum compelling due to the cooperating victims. The big time cast keeps it interesting but it's not quite the moody indie thriller it hopes to be. The last act is over-extended. The killer returns back to the town which erases one of the killing's premise. All in all, it's a flawed but interesting film.