I Am Not a Serial Killer

IMDb RATING

6.2/10

17K

YOUR RATING

Christopher Lloyd and Max Records in I Am Not a Serial Killer (2016)

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Supernatural Horror Crime Drama Horror Mystery Thriller

In a small Midwestern town, a troubled teen with homicidal tendencies must hunt down and destroy a supernatural killer while keeping his own inner demons at bay.In a small Midwestern town, a troubled teen with homicidal tendencies must hunt down and destroy a supernatural killer while keeping his own inner demons at bay.In a small Midwestern town, a troubled teen with homicidal tendencies must hunt down and destroy a supernatural killer while keeping his own inner demons at bay.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.2/10

17K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 10 wins & 8 nominations total

Videos2

Trailer 2:13

I Am Not a Serial Killer

Clip 2:11

I Am Not A Serial Killer: False Alarm

Clip 2:11

I Am Not A Serial Killer: False Alarm

Photos79

+ 71

User reviews94

6.216.6K

Featured reviews

7billcr12

Christopher Lloyd Kills It

John Wayne Cleaver(Max Records) is a high school student with an unhealthy obsession with serial killers. His small Midwestern town begins to experience a series of brutal murders. John's mother is the town's only mortician and she allows her son to help her with the postmortems. He plays detective and becomes friends with an elderly neighbor, Crowley, played by Christopher Lloyd, in his best role since Back to the Future. Lloyd is funny, sarcastic and he pretty much steals this film. The less written about where his quirky character goes, the better. Lloyd and his young costar, Max Records, have a strange and endearing chemistry which will keep viewers guessing as to how it will all end. The final scene is not what I expected, but I can recommend I am Not a Serial Killer without reservation.

9qlissa

Fresh and entertaining

As an average movie goer who was let down by major titles released this year, I decided to give this one a go. As it was part of the Melbourne International Film Festival program this year, I closed one eye and picked something that sounded mildly interesting to watch with a friend.

This is a movie-adaption of Dan Well's book, which already received quite a reputation, but I didn't know that. Heck, I didn't even bother to look at the cast list, or anything further than the 'psychological thriller' genre. Boy, was I in for a ride.

Overall, I was mildly surprised by how entertaining this movie was. The pacing was adequate - not rushed, nor was it too slow. It was also quite easy to follow with no convolution in the story and it doesn't feel forced. I was even more impressed about the clever slice of humor being thrown here and there. I enjoyed the cinematography and clever use of sound effects to keep you at the edge of your seat.

So I'm giving this a good rating, simply because I really enjoyed it - and that 2016 really need more gems like these. I wouldn't mind watching it again, or pick up the book.

8pauliecorleone-72628

This is how you do it.

This is it. The creepiest killer persona I've seen in a while -- and I've only recently come out of an insane horror-binge that spanned over the length of a couple of months. Laurels to Mr. Lloyd for his incredibly chilly performance that framed so eloquently a very competent ensemble without dominating with experience; barring, of course, his grand "solo" which was just... remarkable.

Now, if I cared about the brackets of cinematic categories, I would class this movie as "uncategorizable" for it makes a run through so many genres, it ultimately brakes all the boundaries and uses the shards to create a stunning patchwork quilt of peculiar unity.

Providing us with a fresh outlook on a topic old but favorite, the movie, on the whole, is capable of qualitatively standing alone on the merits of its technical points, however, a few pacing issues aside, we are also graced with effective build-up and organic plot progression, making this subtle endeavor an unmissable filmic underdog.

8bupaje

Atmospheric, well-acted with some good chills

I'll start out by saying I don't watch much horror anymore. A lot of it seems so disturbingly graphic and psychotic that I just can't enjoy the movie. I like character, story and atmospheric stuff presented in a way that isn't all squelch, splatter, saw, cut and pop-up scares.

IANASK delivers good chills, with a hint of 'old-fashioned' horror/psychological drama -to my senses. I enjoyed the characters who felt like real people in a real town. There was good anticipatory tension being built up and I liked the slight 'turn' as we discover the killer is not quite what we thought he was -actually multiple turns as the killer also reveals some complexity that is not the norm in foot-stomping, teeth-gnashing and claw-waving monsterdom. The small town setting was moody and atmospheric with great shots throughout.

Probably some would feel this 'horror-lite'. Maybe it is -and that's okay. It manages to find a balance I found pleasing and I enjoyable.

6trashgang

not that much horror but a weird story

I had never read the book so I can't say a thing about the adaption. But it's a strange flick clocking in over 90 minutes and has a lot of blah blah but also some action here and there.

The problem is the fact that I can't spoil a thing so for the non readers of the book you're in for a strange flick with a weird ending. One you can't see coming. Of course by being a slow flick, it isn't going to be a flick for all horror geeks. It has some excellent effects in the beginning at the morgue and the end is also well done. On part of the horror, it do has a few killings not gory at all but they surely deliver in context of this story.

Even with the word serial killer it isn't a normal serial killer flick. So if you can stand a lot of characterisation and weird things going on then this is going to be your stuff but for gorehounds this doesn't fulfil your wishes.

A flick that stands on his own. But with excellent performances.

Gore 0,5/5 Nudity 0/5 Effects 2/5 Story 2,5/5 Comedy 0/5

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
After seeing Where the Wild Things Are (2009), Dan Wells called Billy O'Brien and said he loved the kid who played the lead, that by the time the project got off the ground, he'd be old enough, and that his loneliness and anger were perfect for John. O'Brien agreed to look into it, but before he could, one of the producers e-mailed O'Brien saying he had a guy who'd be great for that serial killer thing he was working on. It was the same person, Max Records.

Goofs
The water tower of the fictional town of Clayton is seen in the opening scene of the film, later in a scene between Dr. Neblin and John, the water tower is seen in the background with the name of the town of Virginia, Minnesota on the tank, which is the actual filming location.

Quotes
Brooke Watson: Are you It?
John Wayne Cleaver: Am I what?
Brooke Watson: The clown from "It," that Stephen King book.
John Wayne Cleaver: No. I was thinking about dressing up as my mother but I was worried what my therapist would say.
Rob Anders: You gonna juggle for us, freak?
John Wayne Cleaver: That's a really clever costume. You know, it looks great. It's really inventive and the bullet hole looks... really authentic.
Rob Anders: You know this is a party for normal people? Right? So why don't you go home to your undertaking slut of a mother. Alright?
Rob Anders: What are you smiling about?
John Wayne Cleaver: I've been clinically diagnosed with sociopathy, Rob. To me, you're an object. You know, you're a thing. You're about as important to me as a cardboard box. And... the thing about cardboard boxes... is that... you know they're totally boring on the outside, right? But... sometimes, if you cut 'em open there'll be something interesting inside. You know, and so, while you're saying all these boring things to me I'm thinking about what it'd be like to cut you open. But I don't wanna... I don't wanna be that person. And so, I have a rule that anytime somebody says something to me where I think about, you know, cuttin' 'em. I just smile and I say something nice. So that's why I say to you, Rob Anders, of 232, Carnation Street. You are a really great guy.
Rob Anders: You're a freak.
Brooke Watson: You're not a freak.

Connections
Features The Order: 1886 (2015)

Soundtracks
On Your Side
Played by The Family Dog
Written by Isaac Dogliani, Leo Dogliani, Milo Dogliani, Eddie Dogliani
Edited and Mixed by Adam Park
Produced by Isaac Dogliani