Suspect Zero (2004)
Average Rating: 4.4/10
Reviews Counted: 129
Fresh: 23 | Rotten: 106
Other than Ben Kingsley, there's not much to like in this preposterous thriller.
Average Rating: 4.5/10
Critic Reviews: 34
Fresh: 7 | Rotten: 27
Other than Ben Kingsley, there's not much to like in this preposterous thriller.
liked it
Average Rating: 3/5
User Ratings: 11,376
My Rating
Movie Info
Directed by E. Elias Merhige, Suspect Zero follows the disgraced FBI Agent Thomas Mackelway (Aaron Eckhart), who was transferred to a desolate area in Albuquerque, New Mexico as punishment for botching a procedure which ultimately led to the release of one of the most notorious criminals on the FBI's list. Mackelway is given an opportunity to redeem himself, however, when he is called in to investigate the strange murder of a traveling salesman. Mysteriously, the mark of a circle with a line
Watch It Now
Cast
-
Aaron Eckhart
Thomas Mackelway -
Ben Kingsley
Benjamin O'Ryan -
Carrie-Anne Moss
Fran Kulock -
Harry J. Lennix
Rick Charleton -
Ellen Blake
Dolly -
Keith Campbell
Raymond Starkey -
Frank Collison
Piper -
Jerry Gardner
Sheriff Harry Dylan -
Julian Reyes
Highway Patrolman -
Kevin Skousen
Icarus Agent -
-
Michael Chapman
Prosecutor #1 -
Buddy Joe Hooker
Suspect Zero -
William Mapother
Bill Grieves -
Brady Coleman
Dyson -
Kevin Chamberlin
Harold Speck -
Nicole DeHuff
Katie -
Lea Franklin
Mother -
Angelina C. Torres
Neighbor Lady -
Chloe Russell
Loretta -
David House
Truth or Consequences C... -
-
Daniel Patrick Moriarty
Bud Granger -
Curtis Plagge
Jumbo -
Donn Owens
FBI Agent -
Catherine Haun
Joan Speck -
David Ode
Bartender -
Miguel Zapata
Charlie -
Jane Goold
Kathleen -
Benjamin Petry
Little Boy -
Jenny Cleveland
Little Boy's Mom -
Kent Kirkpatrick
Cora -
Dorsey Ray
Project Director -
Marya Beauvais
Prosecutor #2 -
Letta E. Gorder
Reporter -
Maj. Ed Dames
Icarus Trainer -
Aaron Donahue
Remote Viewer -
Cecilia L. Webb
Gospel Singer #1 -
Hope Bell
Gospel Singer #2 -
-
ADVERTISEMENT
All Critics (133) | Top Critics (34) | Fresh (25) | Rotten (107) | DVD (23)
Slips on the banana peel of exaggerated fear factor, falling facedown with the introduction of an über-creep serial killer (Ben Kingsley) grimly stalking some hapless prey.
Top Critic[A] visually jarring, psychologically daring trip that explores terror in a fresh, if crazy, manner.
Its junkiness shines through its posh patina. Exploitation is just no fun anymore, now that it's all so damn tasteful.
A grisly, depraved and wholly uninvolving exercise in empty mannerism.
Suspect Zero is that rare case of a dull idea redeemed by sharp talent.
A violent, depressing and often ridiculous waste of time.
Essentially an X-files episode that wishes it were as disturbing and visually arresting as David Fincher's Seven (it's not).
...one of those seemingly foolproof flicks that just doesn't work...
Note to E. Elias Merhige: Dude, lighten up!
The self-consciously arty thriller is a sort of one-size-fits-all audience horror orgy, with an intriguing mix of fixations
A poor man's 'Silence of the Lambs' crossed with 'Insomnia.' And that makes it at least a decent popcorn movie.
The whole thing would have been over a lot quicker if they had only called in Mulder and Scully.
Suspect Zero is trying so hard to be deliberately stylish that it forgets there's an interesting premise underneath all that vanity.
Merhige treats the laughable plot as if it were high existential drama. He smothers what might have been a solid B picture in relentless art-house pretension.
The film is undeniably flawed, yet the things that work do so beautifully.
The mood is spooky, the murk ominous.
...bogged down by stereotypical characters and haphazard direction.
Another serial-killer mystery in which no one gets out alive, least of all its clueless leads.
Merhige gets plenty of mileage out of these visions and the creepy, metallic sound design and score, almost managing to snuff out the film's more ordinary attributes.
The real drama of the story is pretty much background for a conventional thriller.
Call it, Payoff Zero!
Suspect Zero hits the middle ground, with a modestly compelling storyline ...
Audience Reviews for Suspect Zero
Super Reviewer
Director: E. Elias Merhige
Summary: A killer is on the loose, and FBI agent Thomas Mackelway is on the case, sifting through clues to uncover the criminal's identity. But there's one unusual twist: The bloodthirsty felon's victims of choice are other serial killers.
My Thoughts: "Although it was a new take on serial killing and one I thought was very interesting, the film just wasn't great. Far from it. There is no thrill in this thriller and it needed it. The casting is great, its the writing and directing that leaves something to be wanted. The idea of the film is unique but unfortunately it wasn't executed as well as it could and should have been. A miss that could have been a hit."
Super Reviewer
-
- Benjamin O'Ryan: We were wired right into it. The five of us. Darkness, the pit itself, and no one ever taught us how to turn it off.We saw things men shouldn't see.
-
- Icarus Trainer: Stay objective. do not identify with the victim.
-
- Benjamin O'Ryan: Nobody's told me how to turn it off. And you're going to help me. Help me turn it off.
-
- Thomas Mackelway: How do you find something you can't see?
-
- Thomas Mackelway: You want me to see what you see.
-
- Thomas Mackelway: There's an association here. You have a circle and a lidless eye that's always open. Seeing,seeing or making sure that we are seeing.
Discussion Forum
| Topic | Last Post | Replies |
|---|---|---|
| netfix request | 4 months ago | 0 |
Latest News on Suspect Zero
July 6, 2007:
Warner Bros. Planning a Remake of "The Dirty Dozen"At first I was completely annoyed when I read the news. Then I heard who was writing the remake, and...
April 28, 2006:
Thor, Hulk, Captain America ... and a Few More New MarvelsWhile the hiring of Jon Favreau as "Iron Man" director is pretty exciting movie-geek news,...
June 13, 2005:
Weinsteins Snatch Up Bruce Willis' "Lucky Number"Despite the fact that Bob & Harvey Weinstein still don't even have a name for their new movie...
What's Hot On RT
Trailer for James Franco adaptation
Star Trek opens softer than expected
Rachel McAdams' time travel romantic drama
Trailer for Tom Hanks thriller
Featured on RT
- Box Office Guru Wrapup: Star Trek Softer Than Expected at #1 45
- Weekly Ketchup: Will Smith to Star in Wild Bunch Remake? 36
- Critics Consensus: Star Trek Into Darkness is Certified Fresh 104
- Red Carpet Roundup: Star Trek Into Darkness Edition 0
- Video Interviews with Katie Aselton & Lake Bell of Black Rock 2
- VIP Access: Eli Roth talks Aftershock 1
- Total Recall: Star Trek Movies 95
Top Headlines
-
J.J. Abrams Talks Star Trek Into Darkness, Star Wars, and More
0
-
Vin Diesel Says Fast & Furious 7 Will Begin a New Trilogy
9
-
Mickey Rourke Confirmed for Expendables 3
5
-
Brad Bird Still Mulling Incredibles 2
0
-
Reese Witherspoon, Jena Malone, and Martin Short Join Inherent Vice
1
-
Bruce Willis Makes an Expiration Date
4
-
Drew Pearce Hired for Mission: Impossible 5
0
Fresh Links
Featured
Star Trek Movies Ranked
HitFix offers their own take on the worst-to-best of the Enterprise crew's cinematic adventures.
Top 10 Star Trek Villains
Rolling Stone unveils the Enterprise's most irksome adversaries.
Celebrity Yearkbook Flashback
We'll bet you never realized how many stars were cheerleaders and high school athletes!
50 Most Classic Movie Moms
In celebration of Mother's Day, TimeOut offers up 50 iconic matriarchs from the big screen.
Weirdest Movie Siblings
From Twins to The Royal Tenenbaums, Moviefone explores cinema's oddest siblings.
Promos
Follow RT on Twitter!
Spice up your feed with hourly Tomatometer updates!
