Director: David Ondaatje
Writer: David Ondaatje (Screenplay) Marie Belloc (Book)
Starring: Alfred Molina, Hope Davis, Shane West, Donal Logue, Philip Baker Hall, Rachael Leigh Cook, Rebecca Pidgeon, Simon Baker
Plot: A couple rents out a room to a mysterious young man, who may or may not be guilty of a series of grisly neighborhood murders.
Verdict: Put Your Detective Hat On
Story: We follow two detectives are they try to figure out who killed a hooker and whether it is connected to a previous closed case about a serial killer. We also follow a struggling couple as they rent a room to a mystery stranger who requires privacy. We see how the lead detective’s personally life was put through hell because of the previous case and now things could go bad for him again. He must work with a new detective to figure out the truth before the killer takes more lives.
This one tries to keep you guessing all along with who the killer is, the only problem is, that if the cops are to be the one the lodger storyline is pointless. Just when you think you might have solved it, it throws the theory out the window. It does have small side story that poses the question about whether capital punishment should happen. It uses the idea of a Jack the Ripper copycat well trying suggests the idea that someone could one day happen. This turns into an interesting thriller that keeps you attention but in the end throws out one too many twists. (7/10)
Actor Review
Alfred Molina: Chandler Manning detective who thought he had solved the crimes seven years before, but now the killer is back and he is left to question everything he did and find the new killer. He also has to battle his own personal demons which happened because of the first case. Solid performance from Alfred, who plays the broken detective very well. (7/10)
Hope Davis: Ellen Bunting lonely housewife who spends all her looking after her house, while her husband works and looking after the new lodger. Good performance from Hope. (7/10)
Shane West: Street Wilkenson new detective who comes in to work with Chandler and ends up being part of the big case, but he ends up not being sure who he can trust. Good performance letting the other characters do the extra work whiles his studies. (7/10)
Donal Logue: Joe Bunting husband to Ellen who spends most of his time out the house making him look like a prime suspect in the murder investigation. Solid performance from Donal. (7/10)
Simon Baker: Malcolm the mysterious lodger who comes in the Bunting’s life, he wants to be left alone and only deals with Ellen. Good performance creating the mysterious figure. (7/10)
Director Review: David Ondaatje – Solid direction to keep us guessing about what is happening and who the murderer is. (7/10)
Crime: Uses the mystery behind a crime to keep the story going. (10/10)
Mystery: Really keeps you wondering who the killer is. (9/10)
Thriller: You do end up wanting to know who the killer is but you have to figure out everything which could be a bit too much. (8/10)
Settings: The settings all come off like regular crime location which doesn’t help the murders stand out. (7/10)
Suggestion: This is one for the crime fans to try, they mind find it too much because there are too many twists and turns, but having multiply suspects helps keep everything interesting. (Try It)
Best Part: The mystery.
Worst Part: Final Twist
Believability: Having copycat killers happens but will they be like this? (4/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Runtime: 1 Hour 36 Minutes
Tagline: Everyone Is Suspect
Overall: Twists & Turns Galore
Rating 
