Not the strongest poster. But "Citizen X" is actually a TV movie made by HBO. It is definitely made as a movie. No commercials. No episodes. Just one continuous movie (albeit filmed in 90s TV friendly 4:3 aspect ratio), so I'm including it in this movie blog!
"Citizen X" recounts the events surrounding the Russian serial killer Andrei Chikatilo. The film focuses mainly on the detective who is trying to catch him. While it is a serial killer movie, "Citizen X" is more a look at the consequences of the crippling Soviet bureaucracy.
Someone looking for more about the actual killings and the mind of Chikatilo should just read up on it. There are many great articles and books about this case. "Citizen X" will leave the gore hounds unsatisfied.
But if you want a strong and thoroughly entertaining drama about a couple of men who had to fight the Soviet Union just to catch a child killer, then this is the movie for you!
The four leads are great. Stephen Rea is always wonderful and he brings his A-game to a very emotional performance. But he is helped by having Donald Sutherland to act off of through most of the movie. Sutherland is cheeky and jaded and stern all at once. Max Von Sydow makes a couple brief appearances, and he gives a better performance in a few minutes than most actors do in an entire film. Finally, Jeffery DeMunn (Dale from "The Walking Dead!") as Andrei Chikatilo is quiet and meek and henpecked. His soft exterior make it more unnerving when he gives in to his savagery.
I was pleasantly surprised with "Citizen X." I view TV movies with trepidation. But I am happy to say that I emerged not just unharmed but elated by the excellent film I just watched.
7.5 out of 10
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