Rating: 7 of 10
An insouciant thriller that’s more character study than edge-of-your-seat, whodunit.
Synopsis: “Sixteen-year-old John Wayne Cleaver is not a serial killer—but he has all the makings of one. Keeping his homicidal tendencies and morbid obsessions with death and murder in check is a constant struggle that only gets harder when a real serial killer begins terrorizing his sleepy Midwestern town. Now, in order to track down a psychopath and protect those around him, John must unleash his darkest inner demons.” (source)
My thoughts: Years back I read the young adult book on which this movie was based. It was a solid story, one I knew had the potential to be an entertaining movie.
Happily, this adaptation didn’t let me down. Where I think the movie sets itself apart from the book is its atmosphere and grittiness. Add to that Christopher Lloyd, an impressive performance by Max Records as John, and you have one of the best indie horror movies I’ve seen in 2016.
Highly recommended if you enjoyed movies like NIGHTCRAWLER, STOKER, or HARD CANDY.
Check out I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER official website and trailer on IFC Midnight | on IMDb | on Twitter
(Watched on Amazon 11/18/2016)