Suspect Zero (2004)

A mysterious serial killer is hunting other serial killers, and one F.B.I. Agent suspects there may be more to the vigilante than they imagine.

Director:

E. Elias Merhige

Writers:

Zak Penn (story), Zak Penn (screenplay)

Stars:

Aaron Eckhart, Ben Kingsley, Carrie-Anne Moss

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Aaron Eckhart	...	Thomas Mackelway
Ben Kingsley	...	Benjamin O'Ryan
Carrie-Anne Moss	...	Fran Kulok
Harry Lennix	...	Rich Charleton
Kevin Chamberlin	...	Harold Speck
Julian Reyes	...	Highway Patrolman
Keith Campbell	...	Raymond Starkey
Chloe Russell	...	Loretta
Ellen Blake	...	Dolly
William B. Johnson	...	Mel
Jerry Gardner	...	Sheriff Harry Dylan
Daniel Patrick Moriarty	...	Bud Granger
Curtis Plagge	...	Jumbo
Nicole DeHuff	...	Katie Potter
William Mapother	...	Bill Grieves

Storyline

When Dallas FBI Agent Thomas Mackelway violates serial killer Raymond Starkey's civil rights during an unorthodox arrest, Starkey goes free and Mackelway is demoted to a remote branch of the agency in Albuquerque. His first day on the job, Mackelway investigates the murder of traveling salesman Harold Speck, which turns out to be the first of three seemingly random killings. Perhaps they are not random at all. The last to die is Mackelway's nemesis, Raymond Starkey. The assignment consumes him, his past mistakes haunt him, and his head throbs constantly as he tries to find the link between the victims that will lead him to their killer while the case becomes increasingly gruesome and patently personal. This does not go unnoticed by his unflappable partner Fran Kulok, who knows of Mackelway's past and the demons that afflict him. Like Mackelway, she becomes drawn into the labyrinth of chilling clues, all of which point to the enigmatic Benjamin O'Ryan. O'Ryan clearly has a connection ...

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Plot Keywords:

serial killer | eyesight | sense of hearing | sense of smell | following someone | 

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Taglines:

To catch a serial killer, think what he thinks, see what he sees.

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Genres:

Crime | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violent content, language and some nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the first movie Carrie-Anne Moss did after The Matrix (1999) trilogy, for which she has been known.

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Goofs

There is a spelling error of the word 'condensed' (spelled condenced) on O'Ryan's FBI psychological evaluation when Mackelway is reading it

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Quotes

Benjamin O'Ryan: I want you to shut it off for me, please, Mack. I'm so tired. I just want you to shut it off for me! Shut it off for me.

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Crazy Credits

The opening Paramount logo is brown (to resemble the desert) and the water in the Intermedia logo is black.

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Connections

Featured in 31 Days of Horror: Kickstart My Eckhart: Suspect Zero & Incarnate (2019)

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Soundtracks

Nocturne Opus 55, No. 1, F Minor
(1843)
Written by Frédéric Chopin (as Fryderyk Francois Chopin)
Performed by John H. Skehan III

User Reviews

Almost a Great Thriller

Coming from Dallas after a suspension and a breakdown, FBI agent Thomas Mackelway (Aaron Eckhart) arrives in Dallas when a salesman is killed in a hideous crime. Mackelway is in charge of the investigation and the chief of the agency calls for backup, arriving agent Fran Kulok (Carrie-Anne Moss), who had a past with Mackelway. The leads guide them to Benjamin O'Ryan (Ben Kinsley), a man that claims to be a former FBI agent, and considered a random killing machine. Mackelway becomes obsessed trying to find the truth.

I saw the trailer of "Suspect Zero" and I really expected a great thriller. The cinematography and atmosphere are really excellent, the cast with Ben Kinsley, Carrie-Anne Moss and Aaron Eckhart is very above average, but unfortunately the screenplay does not work well. The idea is original, the story discloses in a good pace, but something is missing to accomplish my excessive expectations. Nevertheless, watching "Suspect Zero" is worthwhile and my vote is six.

Titçe (Brazil): "Suspeito Zero" ("Suspect Zero")

Details

Official Sites:

Columbia Tristar [France] Paramount [United States]

Country:

UK Germany USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 August 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Suspect Zero

Filming Locations:

Menaul School, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$27,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,446,375, 29 August 2004

Gross USA:

$8,725,813

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$11,416,075

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Intermedia Films, Lakeshore Entertainment

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1