Taking Lives is a 2004 movie that features a gripping mix of crime, mystery, and psychology directed by DJ Caruso. The screenplay, which was adapted from the novel by Michael Pye, was written by Jon Bokenkamp. In it, Angelina Jolie stars as an FBI agent named Illena Scott, who takes on a case with the help of Montreal police inspector Paquette (Olivier Martinez) and inspector Duval (Jean-Hugues Anglade) to catch a serial killer who takes on the identities of his victims. Ethan Hawke also stars as the character Martin Asher, who might be the criminal the agents are looking for.
The movie begins with the story of two teenagers, Martin Asher and Matt Soulsby, who meet in a bus traveling to Mont-Laurier in Canada. However, after their bus breaks down on the way, they take a detour and purchase an old car. Unfortunately, the car breaks down, leading to an argument that culminates in Matt’s death after he is struck by a passing truck while Martin watches. Martin then steals all of Matt’s belongings and walks away. Twenty years later, Ileana Scott assists Montreal authorities in their attempts to capture a serial killer who steals the identity of his victims. The investigation leads the police to James Costa (Hawke), a talented artist who claims to see the killer in his dreams and memories.
With the help of James’ sketches, the police find the killer’s hideout, where they discover a dead body. On the other hand, Rebecca Asher, Martin’s mother, goes to the police claiming she saw her long-lost son on a ferry to Mont-Laurier. She also discloses that Martin has a twin who died in early childhood, leading to Martin’s instability and anger issues. Illena figures out that Martin, in fact, was the killer all along. He has killed numerous people and embodies each of his victims to make his escape. At this point, Illena concludes that James is Martin’s intended new identity, and it becomes a race against time to stop Martin from murdering James.
The film presents a grotesque portrayal of violence, with instances of stabbing, choking, and other forms of violent acts perpetrated by Martin and the criminal he represents, which include some gory sequences of mutilated corpses. The use of violent content can be rather disturbing and unsettling to some viewers; therefore, the movie’s rating is restricted to R.
The film’s visual execution is captivating, with menacing atmospheres that create suspense throughout the movie. The movie’s plot, on the other hand, is somewhat predictable and formulaic, relying on the clues dropped throughout the film that easily lead to the identity of the true killer. Nevertheless, the movie captures the audience with the thrill of finding out who is the serial killer and the twist ending that is unexpected.
In conclusion, Taking Lives is a thrilling, psychological crime movie that keeps the viewers on edge right up to the end credits. It is a well-executed movie that showcases the exceptional performances of its cast. With its intriguing plot and ominous settings, it is an evergreen movie that will keep audiences engaged for years to come.
