Review by Bindi Lavelle
True crime flick are always very hit or miss, often not quite getting the balance right between being factual and entertaining; also serial killers tend to be portrayed as either bumbling weirdoes of mindless killing machines. The Hunt for the BTK Killer tries desperately to avoid these traps, yet still falls short.
The Hunt for the BTK Killer recounts the capture of Wichita’s infamous BTK (bind, torture, kill) Killer, Dennis Rader (Gregg Henry) in 2005. After killing 10 people between 1974 and 1991 and baiting the police with letters about it, BTK is suddenly not heard from again until 2004. Detective Jason Nadiga, (Robert Forster) who unable to catch BTK first time around, grows more fiercely determined with each new letter.
The dual perspective of this film is great as we switch between killer and cop. However while equal time is spent focusing on each character, they are not equally developed. We are shown BTK through is actions and interactions, while Detective Nadiga narrates and dully explains everything to the audience; this stalls the pace and tension is lost.
If prolonged narration doesn’t bother you, then this is your kind a film. But If not well , don’t expect too much from this film and you won’t be disappointed. 5/10.