This graphic thriller with elements of horror and suspense is well made but incredibly grim also.

hu675

A veteran police detective by the name of Eddie Argo (Stellan Skarsgard) investigates the bizarre serial murders in the seedy streets of New York City. Eddie is team with a bright female rookie (Melissa George) to find the murderer. While on the case, they find out the victims were forced to kill themselves or kill a life of a loved one to save themselves. They soon realized, this psychopath (Selma Blair) is out for revenge and she won't stop her carnage until her vengeance is done.

Directed by Tom Shankland made an intelligent, thought-provoking thriller with moments of brutality and effective moments of graphic violence. Skarsgard, George, Ashley Walters as Eddie's informer and Blair gives strong memorable performances. Originally titled "W Delta Z", "The Killing Gene" is a well made film that wasn't well marketed, it went straight to DVD in most countries and released limited to theaters instead. The picture should found an audience on DVD.

The DVD has an dark atmospheric (and grainy) anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer and an fine Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. The DVD also includes three featurettes, deleted scenes and an trailer. "The Killing Gene" is a harsh, mean-spirited film that is smart and the visual look of the movie is uniquely unsettling (The way this picture should look). A very good film is certainly not for the squeamish and too depressing for some viewers. If you have the stomach for it, this is exceptionally well written by Clive Bradley and it has a couple of unexpected genuine plot twists in the third act. Don't miss it. HD Widescreen. (****/*****).

score 8/10

hu675 4 March 2009

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw2032266/