Squealer is a serial killer film, whose story is loosely based on the Robert Picton case.
It's not exact portrayal, or anything.
But the similarities are clearly there.
Anyone from Canada will clearly recognize this.
Especially because Ronnie Gene Blevins looks remarkably similar to him, here.
Picton was a pig farmer- known as "The Butcher" or "Pigman"- who preyed on drug addicted prostitutes from the poverty stricken East Side of Vancouver.
And was one of the most prolific serial killers in Canadian history.
Like in the film, after killing his victims...he would dismember, and feed their remains to his pigs.
Possibly after eating bits of their bodies, himself.
The creators have obviously taken their own artistic liberties with his story.
Adding in an extended crime aspect, some drama, and a criminal investigation angle to it.
But the basis for it all won't escape the observations of any Canadian viewers, who were privy to news coverage throughout the 2000s.
Where the story dominated the news cycle.
The role played by Kate Moennig is also based on a real person, Dinah Taylor.
Who was Picton's main accomplice in the killings.
She would introduce Picton to many of his victims, in exchange for drugs.
Whose promise was the lure she'd use to get the girls to come to Picton's farm.
The woman who escapes from him at the beinning of the film is based on a real person, as well.
The pseudonymous "Ms. Anderson", who testified about escaping from Picton's farm in handcuffs at his trial.
While the Lulu character played by Christina Gonzalez is somewhat based on Monique Wood.
Another woman who would testify, about her interaction with Picton, at his trial.
In regards to production...sure, it's kind of a low budget effort, with heavy made-for-TV vibes.
As if it were a Lifetime movie, or something like that.
But the acting in it is surprisingly decent, across the board.
And it does have a subtly creepy vibe going for it.
But it's not overtly scary.
And acts more like a biopic, than it does a horror.
I also love how they make the unsung hero, of the whole ordeal, iconic Canadian actor Graham Greene.
Who does a great job as the doctor, whose observations break open the case.
While by no means a masterpiece, in any conceivable facet.
It's certainly a competent, and entertaining, low budget biopic.
That is likely to resonate with Canadian viewers.
Even if American viewers aren't able to recognize the connections to the actual case.
The bit where the pigs maul the dude is hilariously absurd though.
4.5 out of 10.
