Based on the true story of a Russian serial killer who, over many years, claimed victim to over 50 people. His victims were mostly under the age of 17. In what was then a communists state, the police investigations were hampered by bureaucracy, incompetence and those in power. The story is told from the viewpoint of the detective in charge of the case.
Acting
Stephen Rea's exhausted humanity anchors every scene.
Direction
Gerolmo builds horror through what the system ignores.
Writing
Chikatilo's interview scene — unbearably intimate evil.
Director
Chris Gerolmo
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Shot in Hungary standing in for Ukraine; Rea reportedly stayed in character's exhaustion between takes.
Released four years after the USSR's collapse, it was among the first Western films to explicitly depict Soviet institutional failure rather than heroic propaganda.
US
