Taking Lives
Taking Lives

Taking Lives

2004Movie103 minEnglish

Recruited to assist Montreal police in their desperate search for a serial killer who assumes the identities of his victims, FBI profiler Illeana Scott knows it's only a matter of time before the killer strikes again. Her most promising lead is a museum employee who might be the killer's only eyewitness.

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Insights

IMDb5.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes12%
Metacritic35/100
Google Users45%
Director: Angelina JolieGenres: Thriller, Crime, Mystery, Horror

Plot Summary

A criminal profiler, Illeana Scott, is brought in by the FBI to help catch a serial killer who assumes the identities of his victims. As she delves deeper into the case, she finds herself becoming increasingly entangled with the killer's motives and methods, blurring the lines between hunter and hunted. The investigation takes a personal toll as the killer seems to know her every move.

Critical Reception

Taking Lives was met with generally negative reviews from critics, who often cited its derivative plot and lack of originality. While some acknowledged the performances, the film struggled to engage audiences and left many feeling underwhelmed by its predictable twists and violent content. It performed modestly at the box office.

What Reviewers Say

  • Panned for its uninspired plot and reliance on clichés.
  • Criticized for its excessive violence and lack of suspense.
  • Angelina Jolie's performance was a bright spot, but not enough to save the film.

Google audience: Audience reviews indicate a mixed reception, with many finding the film to be a forgettable thriller that doesn't live up to its potential. Some viewers appreciated the cat-and-mouse aspect and Jolie's presence, but a significant portion felt the plot was predictable and the execution lacking.

Fun Fact

Angelina Jolie was reportedly unhappy with the film's direction and editing, and has largely distanced herself from the project since its release.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Angelina Jolie does her best here and Ethan Hawke injects just a touch of menace but otherwise it's a rather far-fetched crime thriller set in Montreal. "Martin Asher" leaves his home and by systematically killing men as he ages - and assum...