Twisted (2004)

Jessica, whose father killed her mother and committed suicide, is a police officer. While investigating a murder, she finds herself in the center of her own investigation, when her former lovers start being murdered.

Director:

Philip Kaufman

Writer:

Sarah Thorp

Stars:

Ashley Judd, Samuel L. Jackson, Andy Garcia

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ashley Judd	...	Jessica Shepard
Samuel L. Jackson	...	John Mills
Andy Garcia	...	Mike Delmarco
David Strathairn	...	Dr. Melvin Frank
Russell Wong	...	Lieutenant Tong
Camryn Manheim	...	Lisa
Mark Pellegrino	...	Jimmy Schmidt
Titus Welliver	...	Dale Becker
D.W. Moffett	...	Ray Porter
Richard T. Jones	...	Wilson Jefferson
Leland Orser	...	Edmund Cutler
James Oliver Bullock	...	John Flanagan
William Hall	...	Chip Marshall
Joe Duer	...	Larry Geber
Jim Hechim	...	Bob Sherman (as James Hechim)

Storyline

Jessica Shepard is an on the rise police officer of San Francisco's esteemed police department, after having solved a big case about a serial killer. Her mentor John Mills is proud of Jessica as a father would be of his daughter, since Mills was the partner of Jessica's late father. With a newly established promotion, Jessica finds that she might once again have to prove herself in a department that takes no prisoners. Not to mention a new partner named Mike Delmarco, who might be Jessica's next closest thing to a confidant. However, a man has been found dead and the two officers are brought into the investigation. What they find is a surprise when the dead in question was a man Jessica slept with, he being part of a list of one night stands that Jessica has engaged in. Now under suspicion and a terrible drinking problem gnawing at her, Jessica will have to prove to her superiors and to her skeptical partner that she's not the one behind the murders and Mills is one of the few people ...

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Plot Keywords:

kicked in the crotch | kicked in the balls | pub | shorthaired woman | woman with short hair | 

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Taglines:

An elusive killer. A brilliant detective. Maybe one and the same?

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, language and sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Paramount UIP [Brazil]

Country:

Germany USA

Language:

English Italian Spanish

Release Date:

27 February 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Blackout Murders

Filming Locations:

Crissy Field, Presidio, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,904,299, 29 February 2004, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$25,195,050, 23 May 2004

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures,Intertainment AG,Kopelson Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jessica Shepard's (Ashley Judd's) final confrontation with the villain was filmed at the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park. The ship behind her is the Balclutha (1886). She was acquired by the San Francisco Maritime Museum in 1954, and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1985. Two of her three square-rigged masts, and their lower yards, are clearly visible behind Jessica.

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Goofs

On Sheppard's first call as a homicide detective. She (& Andy Garcia) investigate a body found by the water. The injuries to the victim's face are on his left side. Later in the coroner's lab the injury is on his right side.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Edmund Cutler: [knife to her neck] I can hear your heart beating. Sounds like you've got an animal in your chest, trying to get out. Sounds like blood. Sounds like flesh.
[starts unzipping her jacket]
Edmund Cutler: What's this? *What* *is* *this*?
Jessica Shepard: It's my gun.
[suddenly overpowers him and he's on the ground]
Edmund Cutler: Don't hurt me!

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Connections

Referenced in Dissecting the Pod: A Conversation with Annette Insdorf (2013)

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Soundtracks

Papa Don't Take No Mess
by James Brown, Fred Wesley, John Starks & Charles Bobbitt (as Charles Bobbit)
Performed by James Brown
Courtesy of Universal Records
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Not so bad as many negative critics written here

My expectations were fulfilled. I mean I knew that this one was not a top thriller but at least it was much more better than the last ones I see. I spent an entertaining evening with my wife that didn't fall asleep this time. This movie kept your attention from beginning and during all the time you are asking who the real murder is. The performance of Ashley Judd in her psycho role was very good and for all fans of her this is a must see. Yeah, it's a good psycho-thriller with a surprisingly end. I am wondering why so many critics are negative here. There are no doubt more movies who deserved less good votes than Twisted. IN THE CUT is another thriller you shouldn't miss if you liked this one. My rating with my wife: 6.5/10. Too underrated on IMDb!!