Twisted - Der erste Verdacht

My expectations were fulfilled. I mean I knew that this one was not a top thriller but at least it was much more better than the last ones I see. I spent an entertaining evening with my wife that didn't fall asleep this time. This movie kept your attention from beginning and during all the time you are asking who the real murder is. The performance of Ashley Judd in her psycho role was very good and for all fans of her this is a must see. Yeah, it's a good psycho-thriller with a surprisingly end. I am wondering why so many critics are negative here. There are no doubt more movies who deserved less good votes than Twisted. IN THE CUT is another thriller you shouldn't miss if you liked this one. My rating with my wife: 6.5/10. Too underrated on IMDb!!

Policewoman Jessica Shepard (Ashley Judd) has anger issues and alcohol problems. She's also dealing with a serial killer who is targeting all the guys she ever had sex with. Samuel L. Jackson plays one of her best friends and Andy Garcia is her partner. They try to help but the killings continue and she gets more depressed, confused and angry...

This had the makings of a good film. It starts off with a interesting premise but slowly looses its way. The story is way too long (even at 90 minutes) and there are pointless side trips--WHY does Judd visit the killer from the beginning at his cell? He has nothing to do with anything in the film! The film thinks it's more deep and important than it really is. Also Judd and Garcia (both good actors) are TERRIBLE here. And the final resolution was pretty silly and--if you think of it--unlikely.

There are a few good things here--Jackson is very good (even though he's hardly in the film); it's pretty well-directed; Camryn Manheim is amusing in a small role and drop dead handsome Joe Duer has a fairly explicit sex scene with Judd. But--that's not enough to make this film worth seeing. This came and went VERY quickly--it's easy to see why. Plays like an R rated made for TV movie. I give it a 5.

I had heard several people say, "Don't rent this movie; it stinks," but took a shot anyway because Ashley Judd is appealing to me. Well, I wouldn't buy the film but it worth the rental. It wasn't bad at all. It was a decent "serial killer movie" except for the ending which went on too long and got a bit sappy, but a lot of movies are know for that. However, by the end, all the characters (including Judd's "Jessica Shepard") had worn thin and I was glad to see it end.

I also had heard that the ending was easy to figure out but I didn't find that. Actually, I thought I, but I guessed wrong and I assume others did as well. So, don't believe everything you hear; it's a decent film. Nothing to spend a lot of money on, but you could do a lot worse. With Judd, Andy Garcia, Samuel L. Jackson and David Strathairn, the same could be said about the cast

Brutal police officer Ashley Judd (as Jessica Shepard) has a taste for not only alcohol, but also rough sex with hunky young strangers, like handsome tattooed Joe Duer (as Lawrence Geber). Ms. Judd likes to take charge, in and out of the sack. When prowling studs become a serial killer's favorite target, Judd wonders if she may spending her "blackout" time as a psychopathic murderer. Believe it or not, that can be considered as a possibility - albeit only in the "Twisted" universe making up this film...

Partner Andy Garcia (as Mike Delmarco), superior Samuel L. Jackson (as John Mills), ex-boyfriend Mark Pellegrino (as Jimmy Schmidt), and psychiatrist David Strathairn (as Melvin Frank) are among those you may think are either suspects, or victims. Camryn Manheim is one of the smaller stars shining, in her role as "Lisa" the crime lab worker. And, Peter Deming's San Francisco location photography is nice. But, because it's so dumb, "Twisted" may keep you guessing even after the final revelation.

***** Twisted (2/23/04) Philip Kaufman ~ Ashley Judd, Andy Garcia, Samuel L. Jackson, Mark Pellegrino

Police officer Jessica Shepard (Ashley Judd) has just been transferred to homicide and promoted to detective inspector. Her first big case is a murder investigation of a man she had dated. The next day, another man shows up dead with the same cigarette burn on his hand, and he had also dated Jessica. The police are now looking for a serial killer who has the propensity to kill men Jessica has dated. Jessica begins to have dreams about her past, and she opens a box that belonged to her father. Jessica's father was a police officer who went crazy and killed his wife and her lovers, and then himself. His partner and later police commissioner (Samuel L. Jackson) raised Jessica, and taught her everything about police work. When a third murder occurs, her partner, Mike Delmarco (Andy Garcia) begins to watch and protect Jessica. Jessica goes to jail after the fourth victim ends up in her bed. She has no memory of any of the murders, because she blacks out before each murder. The story's twist is the identity of the real murder. You should be able to figure it out before the end, just look for the clues. (Paramount Pictures, Run Time 1:37, Rated R) (7/10)