It's cheap, dirty fun that doesn't stay to cuddle.
Mindhunters (2005)
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Reviews Counted:112
Fresh:29
Rotten:83
Average Rating:4.3/10
Consensus: A retread of Ten Little Indians that lacks the source material’s wit.
Rated: R [See Full Rating] for violence/strong graphic images, language and sexual content
Runtime: 1 hr 46 mins
Theatrical Release:May 13, 2005 Wide
Box Office: $4,394,347
Synopsis: Hiding within a group of eight FBI profilers is a serial killer. In the ultimate test of their crime-solving savvy, these endangered young agents – each compelled by his or her secret past to probe... Hiding within a group of eight FBI profilers is a serial killer. In the ultimate test of their crime-solving savvy, these endangered young agents – each compelled by his or her secret past to probe the criminal mind - must figure out who among them is a ruthless predator . . . before, one by one, they all fall prey to the killer's ingenious plan. With MINDHUNTERS, director Renny Harlin ("Cliffhanger," "Die Hard 2," "Deep Blue Sea," "Driven") gives the serial killer thriller an edge-of-your-seat whodunit twist. Inspired by Agatha Christie's "Ten Little Indians," the story crescendos in suspense as a group of brand new profilers realize that a terrible evil has entered their circle – and there may be no way out alive. When a simulated FBI training exercise turns shockingly real, with one of the agents meeting an unexpected demise, the profilers realize this is more than a final exam -- it's a battle for their lives. Completely isolated, the agents have no choice but to solve the heinous crime on their own. But how can they trust one another when they each possess the skills, the motives and the means to be the murderer? No one is above suspicion, or the perils of overwhelming fear, as they use everything in their power to uncover the killer's identity and end the relentless hunt. The ensemble cast of MINDHUNTERS includes Val Kilmer, Christian Slater, LL Cool J, Jonny Lee Miller, Kathryn Morris, Clifton Collins Jr., Will Kemp, Patricia Velasquez and Eion Bailey. The film, directed by Renny Harlin, is written by Wayne Kramer and Kevin Brodbin. The executive producers are Moritz Borman, Guy East, Nigel Sinclair and Renny Harlin. The film is produced by Cary Brokaw, Jeffery Silver, Bobby Newmyer and Rebecca Spikings. -- © Dimension Films [More]
Starring: Val Kilmer, LL Cool J, Christian Slater, Eion Bailey
Starring: Val Kilmer, LL Cool J, Christian Slater, Eion Bailey, Will Kempe, Jonny Lee Miller, Clifton Collins, Kathryn Morris, Patricia Velasquez
Director: Renny Harlin
Director: Renny Harlin
Screenwriter: Kevin Brodbin, Wayne Kramer
Producer: Jeffrey Silver, Bobby Newmyer, Cary Brokaw, Rebecca Spikings
Studio: Miramax Films
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Reviews for Mindhunters
With too many twists and false alarms, chances are not too many people are going to care.
A thudding dud, crammed with clunky dialogue, bad acting and gruesome but unpersuasive gore. Mindhunters will pass muster with only the most undemanding horror fans.
The mystery, when it is solved, is both arbitrary and explained at great length. The killer gives a speech justifying his actions, which is scant comfort for those already dead.
Primarily, the film is an exercise in stupidity. You don't have to be an Einstein for it to insult your intelligence.
The intriguing set-up, some sharp performances, and director Renny Harlin's capable staging of action and suspense make this a passable thriller, if not a memorable one.
The movie's title, I guess, alludes to the student profilers' ability to put themselves in the mind-set of a murderer. In this witless exercise, however, Mindhunters more accurately suggests that all parties concerned have lost theirs.
A thoroughly compelling suspense film. That doesn't mean it isn't kind of dumb, or largely ridiculous -- it is both -- but here dumb ridiculousness has been elevated to an art form.
Profilers are supposed to outsmart their foes. But the only brains in evidence are the ones oozing out of head wounds.
There's also a quaintness to Mindhunters because it's a whodunit, a style of thriller we don't get much anymore.
A tiring exercise in time-biding sadism (versus wit or suspense), inflated with shock editing, noisy effects and an angry score, like a thriller with road rage.
Manages to be expertly ghoulish and exceptionally dumb at the same time. Even your goosebumps will feel a bit stupid before the end.
Mark my words: Mindhunters will do for psycho-thrillers what Showgirls did for stripper movies.
It's not about the characters, or the dramatic tension, or any kind of believability. It's about how cool the death scenes are, and on that score, Harlin is a champ.
Kilmer and Slater come out firing in the flick's opening stanza, but then disappear to collect their paychecks and let the nearly anonymous worker bee actors carry it home.
It's not hard to see why this movie lingered on Dimension's shelves for long.
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