The Last Victim

This film had the potential to be great. Too bad that wasn't the case. It starts out ok but goes downhill pretty fast. About 30 minutes in I had lost total interest. Basic 5 star film.

With so many good TV shows giving us well-written dialogue and original stories in a 45/50 minute episode, Peaky Blinders, Numbers, The Mentalist, Elementary, Fringe, Person of Interest and many others, filmmakers have to pull their socks up. The competition is on. This film dragged for nearly 2 hours, twenty minutes could have easily been edited, but even then, it is nothing that we have not seen a dozen times better; very poor; I don't think this merits anyone's time.

Hate the drag-on slow pace. A thriller should avoid such slow-burn tempo. The totally unnecessary narration is another letdown, couldn't quite understand why the screenplay or the director needed to insert such unwanted blah, blah, and blah. Camera work is fine but too traditionally cliched and formulaic way of shooting, such as shot the person stepping out of the car, the shoes touching the ground, driver-side car door closed, then the camera following pair of shoes walking forward, the camera following them, then gradually raise up from legs, thighs, to upper body, but still only showing the back of the person...That, really sucks big time, man.

Then, there's a scene showing the sheriff and the female deputy sat on the rear of the police truck eating (lunch or supper?) in broad daylight. Then again, same eating scene, but it's totally dark. How long a meal could be last so long and so slow for just couple of sandwiches? Are the eating scenes that dragged so long for the purpose of building up the tension or just for the purpose to make the movie itself longer? So many unnecessary scenes could be smartly cut off and edited, but no, those scenes just have to stay to fill up the empty on-going. Man, why we have to watch a throw-back deadbeat thriller like this? An eatery in the middle of nowhere still opening for business at late night? It even equipped CCTV? One old woman running the diner?

Also, the killing spree is just kinda clueless and totally exaggerated, just to serve the hollow screenplay.

It's such a shame, this had so much potential, especially with the stellar performances. As a neo-noir wester thriller, this was beautifully shot by Naveen A. Chathapuram in his directorial and writing debut.

But the jointly written story by the three writers was a disjointed convoluted mess, riddled with plot holes, and not as smart or as thrilling as it thought it was. It started off with promise, but the last act became so unbelievably dumb and lazy, that it will leave you feeling you wasted your investment is staring to watch it. I'm baffled how all three writers thought this would be an adequate and thrilling story.

Cinematography was excellent, and the score on point. It's too bad the actors wasted their talents on what could have been really great, but instead was a missed opportunity. It's a generous 5/10, all for the cast and cinematography.

"The Last Victim" (2021) is a compelling neo-Western crime thriller that seamlessly blends the gritty atmosphere of classic film noir with the rugged spirit of the American West. This American-made film carves its own path, delivering a strong story with a focus on complex characters and a visually striking aesthetic.

Sheriff Marcus (Ron Perlman), a weary lawman haunted by a past tragedy, finds himself on the trail of a ruthless gang led by the charismatic but sociopathic Jake (Ralph Ineson). The gang's reign of terror leaves a trail of violence and despair in its wake, forcing Marcus to confront his own demons while trying to bring them to justice.

The film masterfully utilizes the stark beauty of the Southwestern landscape, employing a dusty palette and long, lingering shots to create a sense of isolation and dread. The cinematography, by Lukasz Pruchnik, is particularly impressive, capturing the harsh realities of life on the frontier while also hinting at the underlying darkness that lurks beneath the surface.

The performances are uniformly strong. Ron Perlman, as Marcus, delivers a nuanced portrayal of a man grappling with guilt and the weight of responsibility. Ralph Ineson is chillingly effective as the leader of the gang, exuding a dangerous charisma that masks a cold, calculating mind.

However, "The Last Victim" is not without its flaws. The pacing can feel uneven at times, with some scenes dragging while others feel rushed. Additionally, some plot twists may feel predictable to seasoned genre fans.

Overall:

Despite these minor shortcomings, "The Last Victim" is a worthwhile watch for fans of crime thrillers and those seeking a unique cinematic experience. Its blend of genres, strong performances, and visually striking presentation create a memorable and unsettling journey into the heart of darkness.