Short Review: 'The Alphabet Killer' (2008)

When any filmmaker sets out to make a serial killer flick, the biggest challenge beset upon them is to somehow make it unlike every other serial killer movie made before it. The clinically procedural format by which the sub-genre conforms, combined with its audience invitation into a ‘whodunit’ scenario is arguably well-worn nowadays, despite classics such as Klute, Manhunter, Se7en, even the recent The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo proving the genre’s viability for stunning celluloid experiences. Loosely based on the still-unsolved rape/murder of three young girls in Rochester New York during the 1970s, director Rob Schmidt’s The Alphabet killer falls (regrettably) on the not-so classic side of serial killer cinema, leaving only the impression of many a missed opportunity and wasted talent to boot.

Detective Megan Paige (Eliza Dushku) and partner Kenneth (Cary Elwes) are called out one chilly morning to investigate the rape and murder of a young pre-teen girl whose body has been dumped in a wooded area outside of town. A self-confessed obsessive, Megan begins working long hours in an effort to solve the case, only to become dangerously consumed by it and forced to take a leave of absence as a result. When a second body following the same MO is discovered Megan ignores her colleagues’ advice and delves deeper into the mystery, only to later suffer hallucinations and even visions of the deceased victims. With her sanity hanging in the balance and a maniac still at large can Megan retain what’s left of her mental stability before someone else falls victim to the Alphabet Killer?

From the outset there is nothing particularly remarkable about The Alphabet Killer’s initial set up and/or murder investigation, more or less mirroring the pre-credit teaser of any standard Law and Order episode. However, as the clues and queries begin to mount and Megan’s sanity is eventually called into question things take an interesting turn by having her deteriorating judgment become the central focus of the drama. Ironically enough though this is when screenwriter Tom Malloy seriously drops the ball (both in terms of character development and suspense) by allowing Megan to loose her grip on reality within the first 15 minutes of screen time, thus never allowing the audience the slightest chance to become involved with her plight. Almost immediately she begins cutting her wrists and rambling hysterically to apparitions of the first victim as it appears randomly in her apartment, only for it to disappear conveniently whenever another character enters the room. Actress Eliza Dushku tries hard but her character's loss of rationality, while explicable, simply occurs too soon within the context of the story for it to have any impact (not to mention her ability to somehow channel the dead purely through her emotional investment with the case).

Alongside the nonsensical handling of the psychology behind its lead protagonist the auxiliary characters don't fare too well either, despite being portrayed by an impressive list of faces. The talents of Micheal Ironside, Tom Noonan, Bill Mosley - even Timothy Hutton are all squandered in stereotyped roles written far below their more than adequate capabilities, feeling more like a case of casting for name recognition only. Such character inadequacies could potentially be overshadowed by use of strong visual aesthetics and a stylish mood, however director Schmidt and cinematographer Joe DeSalvo seem so determined on giving their film a painfully pedestrian look and feel that it almost becomes frustrating to watch as a result (with the exception of the admittedly unusual, albeit futile supernatural element).

By no means a bad movie, the banality of The Alphabet Killer's proceedings are just too apparent to recommend it as solid entertainment. As a psychological drama and a serial killer romp its predictable narrative, copious talking heads and barely believable motivations only serve to undermine any sincerity it may have intended, resulting in an underwhelming product that could never be considered a labor of love. Ultimately, The Alphabet Killer embodies all that's wrong with the majority of direct-to-video movies: films made on the fly by a cast and crew that never really cared about much but their paychecks.



Dir: Rob Schmidt
Cast: Eliza Dushku, Cary Elwes, Michael Ironside, Timothy Hutton
Country: USA
Run Time: 98mins
Rating: M15+