"Evilenko" is a dramatization of the crimes of Russian pedophile/serial killer Andrei Chikatilo, and the latest film to join the ranks of DTV fare such as "Ted Bundy," "Ed Gein," and "The Zodiac Killer" (among others). Like the aforementioned films, this paints a half-cocked portrait of madness undermined by inadequate production values, embellished details, and a plodding pace (there is no reason for this to crawl towards nearly 2 hours). Writer-director David Grieco brings some flair to the images and storytelling, and Malcolm McDowell is finely awkward in the title role, but the overall structure is incredibly mundane: like other films of this type, we have policemen on the trail of a mad killer; mad killer kills; police arrive at crime scene(s); killer is caught; killer is killed. Angelo Badalamenti, best known for his work with David Lynch, composed the generic, undistinguished score. "Evilenko" has the benefit of McDowell, but precious little else--overall, it's a bland, boring experience.
Review of Evilenko
