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Citizen X

Citizen X

Crime · Drama · 1995

Based on the true story of a Russian serial killer who, over many years, claimed victim to over 50 people. His victims were mostly under the age of 17. In what was then a communists state, the police investigations were hampered by bureaucracy, incompetence and those in power. The story is told from the viewpoint of the detective in charge of the case.

Movie details

Citizen X

“You don't want to know what he does... You just want to know when he's caught.”

1995 Crime · Drama 1h 45m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.2 / 10

Community rating

Based on the true story of a Russian serial killer who, over many years, claimed victim to over 50 people. His victims were mostly under the age of 17. In what was then a communists state, the police investigations were hampered by bureaucracy, incompetence and those in power. The story is told from the viewpoint of the detective in charge of the case.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Citizen X?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Red Riding: The Year of Our Lord 1974

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Chris Gerolmo

Written by

Chris Gerolmo

Stephen Rea

Stephen Rea

Lt. Viktor Burakov

Donald Sutherland

Donald Sutherland

Col. Mikhail Fetisov

Max von Sydow

Max von Sydow

Dr. Alexandr Bukhanovsky

Jeffrey DeMunn

Jeffrey DeMunn

Andrei Chikatilo

Joss Ackland

Joss Ackland

Bondarchuk

John Wood

John Wood

Gorbunov

R

Radu Amzulescu

Federenko

Court is in session

Put Citizen X on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.