The Craigslist Killer (2011)

The Craigslist Killer (2011) Frankly, it’s really good! It’s just not a masterpiece… but for a TV film, I wasn’t bored for a second. Yes, it’s an American TV film directed by Stephen Kay, which is interesting to watch and seems to follow the story as closely as possible.

We follow the dark and mysterious life of murderer Philip Markoff. It is also an adaptation of the true-crime book A Date with Death: The Secret Life of the Accused ‘Craigslist Killer’, written by Michele McPhee. It’s an interesting story about an average student who has everything going for him, is very intelligent, has lots of friends and, above all, a fiancée, but who has a very dark double life.

I watched this film mainly for Agnès Bruckner, but nothing disappointed me. Including her. I’d even go so far as to say that I’d dreamt of seeing her in a role like this, which is a nice change from the horror films where she also excels, that’s for sure. Anyway… really nice!

Jake McDorman is very good in the role of Philip Markoff and it was once again a pleasure to see William Baldwin again, here in the role of Detective Bennett. Even if you know who the ‘murderer’ is, you’ll still get hooked. An interesting and instructive film about the psychology of a contemporary killer (well, it’s from 2011, isn’t it?!). Be warned, though: this is far from a blockbuster film or a thriller. Here, we’re content with an account of the facts.

There’s nothing wrong with the actors. The relationship between the killer and his girlfriend is fascinating. As are the themes explored: the unmentionable hidden side, the corrupting Internet and the handsome (and good-looking) antagonist. The beauty of the film is that even though the director chooses to show us his murderous side, we become attached to the character. And just like Megan and those close to her, we fall into a state of utter incomprehension. Quite a pleasant surprise.