The art of the kill.|Dec. 16, 2022|USA|107 Min.|R
Genre: Thriller
Description: Mindcage (2022) portrays a thriller that wearily recycles serial killer tropes, delivering a sluggish narrative with uninspired pacing. Despite a talented cast of seasoned Hollywood actors, the film lacks energy and falls flat. The second act drags painfully, resembling molasses flowing backward. The plot echoes *Silence of the Lambs*, blending a religious and supernatural theme, but fails to evoke any gripping tension. While occasional random scares attempt to inject fear, they feel tacked on rather than integral. The editors’ efforts to enliven the story appear desperate, and the predictable twist is evident early on, leaving viewers waiting for the film to catch up.
The story follows grizzled Detective Jake Doyle (Martin Lawrence), who investigates a bizarre murder at a Catholic church where the victim is staged in an elaborate, costumed pose. He clashes with rookie officer Mary Kelly (Melissa Roxburgh), who has already started examining the scene. Mary discovers that the crime eerily mimics the horrific methods of a notorious imprisoned serial killer, known as “The Artist” (John Malkovich). Jake had captured the Artist five years earlier, but at a great personal cost.
When a second victim is found the next day, the situation escalates. Another murdered prostitute bears the same gruesome signature, signaling the work of a copycat. The complexity of the crimes and the absence of evidence baffle law enforcement. Mary suggests seeking the Artist’s help, a move Jake strongly opposes. With just two weeks left before his execution, the Artist demands his sentence be commuted to life imprisonment in exchange for assistance. He insists on speaking only to Mary and requests his painting supplies as part of the deal. As Jake grapples with the trauma of his past encounter with the Artist, Mary strategically engages the psychopath, who grows intrigued by her. Meanwhile, the copycat’s kill count rises, intensifying the urgency of the investigation.
Cast director: Mauro Borrelli
Cast actor: Martin Lawrence, Melissa Roxburgh, John Malkovich, Aiden Turner, Jacob Grodnik, Chris Mullinax, Ritchie Montgomery, Kira Reed Lorsch, Jeremy Turner, Cassandra Gava
Original name: Mindcage