Summary
Serial killers are a popular topic inmovies, but not every great film using them as subject matter is as widely seen as it may deserve. The morbid fascination with repeat murderers is something of a staple in cinema, with both past hits and modern classics like the recently-releasedLonglegsfeaturing serial killers prominently. But there are plenty of incredible films centered on the topic that have somehow evaded popularity, despite the excellence with which they portray human killers.
It goes without saying that many serial killer films fall into the genre of horror, with scores ofslasher franchisesbeing inspired by the infamous fictional mask-wearing killers popularized by the genre. But it’s just as often that real-life serial killers might inspire a tense dramatization of true events. Some of the best and most underseen films centered around serial killers often fall somewhere in between, though movies designed to chill and terrify will always be at the top when it comes to the idea.
The 15 Most Interesting Serial Killers On Mindhunter (& 10 They Should Have Had On The Show)
Mindhunter does a great job of examining the motivations behind real serial killers. These are some of the most interesting to be featured!
Summer of 84
Cast
Set in a suburban town in the summer of 1984, Summer of 84 follows a group of teenage friends who suspect their police officer neighbor is a serial killer. As they dig deeper into their investigation, they uncover unsettling truths and find themselves in a precarious and dangerous situation. Directed by François Simard, Anouk Whissell, and Yoann-Karl Whissell, the film blends elements of horror and nostalgia, creating a compelling coming-of-age thriller.
Serial killers and summers of the 80s often go hand-in-hand, with seemingly idyllic summer getaways like the titular camp ofSleepaway Campor the infamous Camp Crystal Lake ofFriday the 13thfame being hotbeds for serial killer activity. When blended with pangs of nostalgia for the decade, the unique time and place presents a great opportunity for a modern take on a hallowed concept of yesteryear.Summer of 84takes this opportunity, telling the tale of a small Oregon town beset by a grisly string of murders in the titular season.
The decided over-reliance on80s nostalgia concealsthe true terror ofSummer of 84,which manages to make a tried-and-true horror concept genuinely scary again through sheer craft. The film did well in the horror film festival circuit the year of its release, but isn’t widely known by audiences six years later. This is a true shame considering just how riveting the violent and mysterious tale of the Cape May Slayer has managed to become by the time credits roll.
Frailty (2001)
Frailty is a psychological horror thriller directed by and starring Bill Paxton. Released in 2001, the film delves into the disturbing tale of a man who recounts his father’s delusional mission to destroy “demons” disguised as humans. Matthew McConaughey and Powers Boothe also star in this eerie exploration of familial bonds and moral ambiguity.
Murder mysteries and serial killers lend themselves well to one another for obvious reasons, and plenty of films have taken advantage of this over the years. But it’s the rare moody early 2000s thriller likeFrailtythat pushes the concept as far as it’ll go, adding a twist of religious fervor to the typical formula of the genre. The movie revolves around a man who comes forward to an FBI agent claiming that his brother is the one behind a recent series of religiously-motivated killings.
As the narrative ofFrailtyhopscotches back and forth through time, the viewer gets a true sense of unease. No one seems to be completely safe, both from the true killer’s twisted morals or from being ruled out as the killer themselves. When the true nature of the murderer’s motivations is revealed,Frailtymanages to pull off one of the most creative twist endings of its decade.
Deep Red
Deep Red is a 1975 Italian giallo film directed by Dario Argento. The story revolves around a jazz musician and a tenacious journalist who team up to solve the brutal murder of a psychic medium. Known for its stylistic cinematography and intense soundtrack, the film is a classic in the horror-thriller genre. David Hemmings and Daria Nicolodi star in lead roles, driving the suspenseful narrative to its chilling climax.
Ranking among theclassic Italian “Giallo” filmsof the 1970s, known for their intense gore and psychological trauma,Deep Redis a flagship example of the murder mystery subgenre that ruled foreign filmmaking in its time. From iconic director Dario Argento cameDeep Red,bearing all his signatures in what might be his crowning achievement. The film revolves around a sensitive piano player who sets out to solve the murder of a psychic after discovering her body.
Deep Redhits all the iconic Giallo notes with triumphant accuracy. From its extensively bloody moments of jaw-dropping gore to its endearing cinematography choices and the killer soundtrack by the psychedelic rock band Goblin,Deep Redhas plenty to offer as one of the premiere offerings of its time.The film also gets a lot of mileage out of some creepy imagery,including menacing old manors and eerie mechanized dolls. It’s hard to believeDeep Redisn’t more well known.
Manhunter
Manhunter is a psychological thriller directed by Michael Mann. Released in 1986, the film follows former FBI profiler Will Graham, portrayed by William Petersen, as he tracks down a serial killer known as “The Tooth Fairy.” The film features strong performances from Brian Cox as Dr. Hannibal Lecktor and Tom Noonan as the chilling antagonist. Manhunter is known for its atmospheric tension and complex character studies.
WhileThe Silence of the Lambsis easily one of the most famous films about serial killers ever, let alone to feature Hannibal Lecter, it was far from the first film to adapt Thomas Harris' infamous literary villain. BeforeRed Dragonhad Sir Anthony Hopkins reprise the role of Hannibal in 2002, Michael Mann would adapt the novel of the same name with his 1986 filmManhunter.LIke its successor,the film centers on FBI agent Will Graham’s efforts to catch the “Tooth Fairy"serial killer with the aid of Hannibal himself, whose last name is spelled “Lekter” here.
Compared toRed Dragon, Manhuntermight be a less-polished product with a decidedly less iconic cast, but it bears Mann’s distinct 80s style that separates it in notoriety. The film didn’t get many accolades upon release, but the following decades would give audiences time to appreciate its darker atmosphere and more stylistic, less sterile approach to the same story.Manhunterdeserves to be able to step further out of the shadow of Anthony Hopkins' brilliant Hannibal Lecter.
6The Poughkeepsie Tapes
2007
Anotherfound-footage horror film,The Poughskeepsie Tapesplays with audience apprehension, causing viewers to reassure themselves that what they’re watching can’t actually be real (right?) as they descend into an eerily true-to-life depiction of serial murders. The film uses a police raid on an abandoned house full of video evidence as a framing device, presenting a series of frightening vignettes in a style not unlike the horror seriesV/H/S. UnlikeV/H/S, however, the film offers a very real and nauseating depiction of strictly human violence.
The Pughskeepsie Tapespresents some of the most stomach-churning images of gore and depravity around, not meant for the faint of heart. Despite this, one clip from the film has managed to go viral, depicting the vile Edward Carver stalking one of his captured victims while wearing a frightening mask. That being said, few are aware of the scene’s origin inThe Poughkeepsie Tapes, wherein a litany of even moreterrifying imagery awaits them in the depths of Carver’s abandoned basement.
M
M is a 1931 German thriller directed by Fritz Lang, featuring Peter Lorre in a breakout role as a serial killer who targets children. The film explores the psychological and moral implications of the hunt for the criminal, involving both the police and the criminal underworld. Renowned for its atmospheric tension and innovative use of sound, M is considered a landmark in the thriller genre.
One of the oldest films about serial killers ever made,Mmanages to be one of the most successful and smartly-produced to this day. Directed by Firtz Lang ofMetropolisfame,Mis one of the earliest examples of a procedural drama ever created, chronicling the hunt for a child murderer in a bustling German city. The simple premise would be great enough for such an early film to the genre, butMgoes the extra mile to make things more interesting by having both the police and organized crime go after the killer in equal measure.
WhileMwasn’t a big hit at the time of its release, the film went on to have a massive influence on filmmaking and pop culture in general, with many modern horror and thriller movies owing their existence to the film. The sparse dialogue, moody atmosphere and wretched characters paint a hateful picture of Germany that echoes Lang’s sentiments on his homeland at the time, which was just allowing the Nazi party to rise to power. With visionary, groundbreaking editing and a deeply engaging mystery to chew on,Mremains worth watching even almost a century later.
I Am Not A Serial Killer
I Am Not A Serial Killer follows the story of John Wayne Cleaver, a teenager in a small Midwestern town who is diagnosed with sociopathic tendencies. As he navigates his suppressed homicidal urges, a series of mysterious deaths occur in his town, propelling him to hunt down the real killer. Directed by Billy O’Brien and based on the novel by Dan Wells, the film delves into themes of identity and morality.
Despite its title begging otherwise,I Am Not a Serial Killeris quietly one of the moodiest and most atmospheric films to tackle the topic of murderers to come out in the 2010s. The film takes place in a small midwestern town, in which a teen boy named John is struggling to grow up with the hallmark signs of psychopathy and a desire to kill, including bedwetting and afascination with the macabre.When the town begins experiencing actual murders, John takes it upon himself to preemptively clear his name by tracking down the culprit.
I Am Not a Serial Killerproves it is worthy of more recognition
John is an incredibly fascinating protagonist, struggling to overcome his base urges despite working at his family’s funeral home, constantly surrounded by death.Christopher Lloyd’s rolealso takes the film as an opportunity to prove he can play a chilling villain, leading a double life that only the young John is privy to and is desperate to prove. Add in some surprise supernatural elements and gut-wrenching gore to its dark themes, andI Am Not a Serial Killerproves it is worthy of more recognition.
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer
Drifter Henry teams up with fellow ex-con Otis for a series of brutal, random murders. As they descend deeper into violence, Otis' sister Becky becomes entangled in their dark world. The film offers a stark, unflinching portrayal of a serial killer’s psyche and the disturbing impact on those around him.
Most films to feature serial killers paint them as a distant villain; unkowable, mysterious, and seemingly always just out-of-reach until the final act. ButHenry: Protrait of a Serial Killerlives up to its name by taking a longer, uncomfortable, and more concentrated look at the psychosis of a murderer, examining what could drive them to act in such a way. The film centers around the titular Henry, a drifting murderer who briefly manages to find some companions in his sickening lifestyle.
For those familiar with Michael Rooker from the lightheartedGuardians of the Galaxyfilms, it might be a struggle to recognize the actor here, full of convincingly-acted hatred for humanity. The tension between Henry and his friend Otiskeeps the viewer walking on eggshells throughout the entire run,and the brutal violence the two engage in isn’t easy to stomach. Still,Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killeris worth watching for the final lesson of hopelessness in trusting such a cruel person.
Creep
Creep is a 2014 Horror film directed by Patrick Brice. The found-footage style release stars Mark Duplass and Patrick Brice and revolves around a videographer who takes a job recording and chronicling the life of a supposedly dying man that will be showcased later to his unborn son.
Found footage has slowly become one of the most prominent subgenres in horror ever since its success in 1999’sThe Blair Witch Project.But 2014’sCreepreminded horror fans that the technique could also be applied to less esoteric or magical subjects, making simple human serial killers terrifying again with the use of a realistic found footage edit. When an aspiring videographer agrees to record the life and times of a terminally ill father for his unborn child, things take a dark turn in the subject’s isolated cabin.
Despite only really having two characters,Creepis able to present a tense psychological thriller impactful enough to spawn its own legacy of sequels, includingCreep 2and theupcoming spin-off series,The Creep Tapes.The best trickCreeppulls is not truly revealing itself as a serial killer film until its final moments, which are equal parts tragic and horrifying.From the stunning performances of its lean cast to the unbearable twist ending,Creepshould be seen by more horror fans.
1981
Australian cinema in general is frighteningly discounted out of theMad Maxfilms, and presentations likeRoad Gamesjustify why the country’s best works deserve more recognition. Another tale of vehicular violence in the Australian outback,Road Gamesfollows a simple American trucker just trying to do his job. When he suspects a fellow trucker to be kidnapping and murdering young women, he takes in a hitchhiker, played by Jamie Lee Curtis ofHalloweenfame, only for her to quickly turn up missing as well.
Road Gamesis one of the best serial killermoviesto come out of the 80s
Road Gamesdeals in the currency of thrilling suspense while mimicking the simple Man vs. Man vehicular danger of films like Spielberg’sDuel.The stark landscape of the expansive outback makes for a chillingly isolated setting that feels far removed from civilization, though the film also injects a certain amount of lively comedy to keep things from getting too dry. Though it may be somewhat obscure,Road Gamesis one of the best serial killermoviesto come out of the 80s.
