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IMDbPro

The Alphabet Killer

  • 20082008
  • RR
  • 1h 38m
IMDb RATING
5.2/10
8.5K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
17,472
1,595
Eliza Dushku in The Alphabet Killer (2008)
Police officer Megan Paige (Dushku) sees her life begin to unravel as she investiagtes a series of brutal killings.
Play trailer1:43
1 Video
26 Photos
CrimeMysteryThriller
Based on the true story of the double initial killings in Rochester, NY.Based on the true story of the double initial killings in Rochester, NY.Based on the true story of the double initial killings in Rochester, NY.
IMDb RATING
5.2/10
8.5K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
17,472
1,595
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Rob Schmidt
    • Writer
      • Tom Malloy
    • Stars
      • Eliza Dushku
      • Cary Elwes
      • Timothy Hutton
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Rob Schmidt
    • Writer
      • Tom Malloy
    • Stars
      • Eliza Dushku
      • Cary Elwes
      • Timothy Hutton
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 51User reviews
    • 36Critic reviews
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Videos1

    The Alphabet Killer: Trailer
    Trailer 1:43
    The Alphabet Killer: Trailer

    Photos26

    Timothy Hutton in The Alphabet Killer (2008)
    Cary Elwes in The Alphabet Killer (2008)
    Michael Ironside in The Alphabet Killer (2008)
    Bill Moseley in The Alphabet Killer (2008)
    Tom Noonan in The Alphabet Killer (2008)
    Larry Hankin in The Alphabet Killer (2008)
    Eliza Dushku in The Alphabet Killer (2008)
    Eliza Dushku in The Alphabet Killer (2008)
    Eliza Dushku in The Alphabet Killer (2008)
    Eliza Dushku in The Alphabet Killer (2008)
    Eliza Dushku in The Alphabet Killer (2008)
    Cary Elwes and Eliza Dushku in The Alphabet Killer (2008)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Eliza Dushku
    Eliza Dushku
    • Megan Paige
    Cary Elwes
    Cary Elwes
    • Kenneth Shine
    Timothy Hutton
    Timothy Hutton
    • Richard Ledge
    Tom Malloy
    Tom Malloy
    • Officer Steven Harper
    Michael Ironside
    Michael Ironside
    • Capt. Nathan Norcross
    Bill Moseley
    Bill Moseley
    • Carl Tanner
    Carl Lumbly
    Carl Lumbly
    • Dr. Ellis Parks
    Brian Scannell
    Brian Scannell
    • Jay Castillo
    Larry Hankin
    Larry Hankin
    • Perry
    Jack McGee
    Jack McGee
    • Hank
    Melissa Leo
    Melissa Leo
    • Kathy Walsh
    Andrew Fiscella
    Andrew Fiscella
    • Len Schafer
    Rocco Sisto
    Rocco Sisto
    • Father McQuarrie
    Tom Noonan
    Tom Noonan
    • Ray Gullikson
    Frank Rossi
    Frank Rossi
    • Francis Baker
    Meltem Cumbul
    Meltem Cumbul
    • Elisa Castillo
    Kristina Jewell
    Kristina Jewell
    • Wendy Walsh
    Sarah Anderson
    Sarah Anderson
    • Elizabeth Eckers
    • Director
      • Rob Schmidt
    • Writer
      • Tom Malloy
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Based on the true story of the double initial killings in Rochester, NY.
    • Goofs
      As she begins to research the crimes, Megan sets up an office in her attic; there is a scene showing her sticking Post-It notes to a brick wall or chimney. Post-It notes were not commercially available until 1977, and that was in just 4 test markets nationally. They were debuted in US stores as Post-It notes in 1980.
    • Quotes

      Megan Paige: Why didn't you tell me you knew the victims?

      Richard Ledge: Because then you would have known that I killed them.

    • Connections
      Referenced in The Cinema Snob: Sunday School Musical (2019)
    • Soundtracks
      Skeleton (She's So Cool)
      Written by Nils Alpha / Jukka Sebatian

      Performed by Alpha Kids

    User reviews51

    Review
    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Premise Based On A Real-Life Case
    This crime thriller centers on a detective named Megan (Eliza Dushku) who investigates a series of child murders in upstate New York. But Megan suffers from a mental illness, the symptoms of which get worse as she delves deeper into the killings. She hears strange voices and sees "visions" related to the victims.

    With low light levels and muted colors, combined with creepy background music, the film's first half creates an effective thriller atmosphere. We see the outline of the killer, but never the face. Will Megan solve the murders and overcome her illness, or will the inept police supersede, to botch the case? As viewers, we root for Megan to succeed.

    Although the script idea originates from a real-life murder case, referred to generally as the "double initial" serial killings, which terrorized upstate New York in the early 1970s, the film's overall plot and main characters are fictional. The story setting is the present, not the 1970s. The scriptwriter created the Megan character out of thin air. And the story's outcome deviates considerably from the outcome of the real-life case. The film's writer wrote a fictional plot, based on a real-life premise. The film's second half fails to convince, largely because of its clichéd plot contrivances.

    Visuals consist of an annoying widescreen projection and some hokey CGI effects, in the form of "ghosts". But the low lighting contributes tension, as does some clever low-angle camera shots. And the director relies mostly on a hand-held camera, which enhances realism. Overall casting and acting are fine.

    "The Alphabet Killer" gets off to a great start. But it falters in the second half, owing to fictional plot points that dilute the underlying real-life premise. I would have preferred a narrative that followed the true story, though I understand that the reason for not doing so was budget constraints. By lowering one's expectations, the viewer may find the film worthwhile, either as a fictional thriller or as a character study of a woman fighting her own demons.
    helpful•11
    4
    • Lechuguilla
    • Mar 15, 2010

    FAQ5

    • What is 'The Alphabet Killer' about?
    • Is 'The Alphabet Killer' based on a book?
    • What happened in the real Alphabet murders?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 10, 2009 (Kuwait)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Alfabe Katili
    • Filming locations
      • Rochester, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Intrinsic Value Films
      • New Films International
      • WideyeCreative Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $2,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $29,784
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $11,000
      • Nov 9, 2008
    • Gross worldwide
      • $106,596
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 38 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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