Suspect Zero (2004)

User Rating:

5.8/10   

Director:

E. Elias Merhige

Writers (WGA):

Zak Penn (story)
Zak Penn (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

27 August 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

Who's next?

Plot:

A mysterious serial killer is hunting other serial killers - and one FBI agent suspects there may be more to the vigilante than they imagine.

Plot Keywords:

FBI | Serial Killer | FBI Agent | Salesman | Murder

Cast

Aaron Eckhart	...	Thomas Mackelway
Ben Kingsley	...	Benjamin O'Ryan
Carrie-Anne Moss	...	Fran Kulok
Harry Lennix	...	Rich Charleton
Kevin Chamberlin	...	Harold Speck
Julian Reyes	...	Highway Patrolman
Keith Campbell	...	Raymond Starkey
Chloe Russell	...	Loretta
Ellen Blake	...	Dolly
William B. Johnson	...	Mel
Jerry Gardner	...	Sheriff Harry Dylan
Daniel Patrick Moriarty	...	Bud Granger
Curtis Plagge	...	Jumbo
Nicole DeHuff	...	Katie Potter
William Mapother	...	Bill Grieves

Also Known As:

Suspect 0 (Philippines: English title)

MPAA:

Rated R for violent content, language and some nudity.

Runtime:

USA:99 min | Argentina:99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Norway:15 | Finland:K-15 | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Portugal:M/16 | Ireland:15 | New Zealand:R16 | Argentina:16 | Canada:18A | Germany:16 | Singapore:NC-16 | UK:15 | USA:R (certificate #40067) | Australia:MA | Iceland:16 | Netherlands:16 | South Africa:16 | South Korea:15

Filming Locations:

Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

The original 1995 draft by Zak Penn circulated around Hollywood for seven years before finally being made. After several drafts were rejected, the original draft, with several revisions by Billy Ray, was used for shooting.

Goofs:

Continuity: At the end, Benjamin's position within the spiral of stones changes between shots.

Quotes:

Piper: Ever see a 50 foot shark?
Thomas Mackelway: I'm sorry?
Piper: A 50 foot shark. You ever seen one?
Thomas Mackelway: No.
Piper: Doesn't mean there aren't any.

Movie Connections:

References Profondo rosso (1975)

Soundtrack:

Bingo

Something Was Lacking

As I followed this film from beginning to end, I enjoyed the revelations of the various twists and I felt that the film even seemed to have a natural and proper progression to it, but at the same time, I felt that there was something very large missing. I think that the director ended up inserting the punchlines with too much subtlety, and the acting was too routine, while the action was too constant to be shocking or surprising... Whatever it may be, the film was lacking something large. The combination of all of the above seems to kill the feeling and plot of the film.

I couldn't help but feel utterly indifferent in some parts of the film which are supposed to be exciting and thrilling, and this caused the film to let me down. I am not sure who is to blame, but in the end, this interesting plot with a lot of potential turned into 'just another movie.'