The execution

The impressive directorial debut of Lado Kvataniya. The narrative unfolds in a non-linear fashion and regularly jumps between the two timelines (initially ten years apart but gets narrower as we move forward). The frequent switch between the two timelines is used (as a plot device) to move the story forward, generate suspense, and maintain the tension and thrill throughout. A clever plot device that could have been a disaster in the hands of a less capable director, but here, supported by a strong screenplay and intelligent editing, it worked really well.

Costumes and makeup, especially for aging the characters, are carefully done and worth mentioning. Also, the scenes are lit beautifully.

Influences of some of the popular and acclaimed movies in the suspense/thriller genre can be seen, and the director showed his appreciation by pointing (not so subtly) toward a few of them.

Raw panorama, finally a film where he lists the poor landscape, where the poor people live in that grey, dirty and dusty suburbs, with their poor things, shabby clothes and shoes, without any beauty, as are the characters, ugly, dirty and violent, against everything and everyone, the death of the victim is the last link in this chain of violence, and everyone pays, the serial killer, the detectives, the policemen pay, everyone succumbs, the setting is among the poorest and miserable, there is no life, there is no joy, everything is destroyed by madness, by the abandonment of the institutions, here the citizen is alone. The scenography is beautiful, the direction is excellent even if the time jumps create confusion but in the end everything is clear, the actors are excellent, a very beautiful film, worth seeing.

The directorial debut of Lado Quatania (who is it?) A music video maker who has shot a couple of famous works during his career (you can Google him. I will not describe the background in detail) and decided to switch to cinema. And immediately success!

One of the techniques that the director dragged from his clips to the cinema is shooting on 16mm film. These inserts are very rare, and are made to emphasize a certain scene in the course of the narrative.

The less you know about the plot, the more interesting it is to watch the narration. I was lucky and I didn't even turn on the trailer before going to the cinema. And even during the replay, it was also interesting to watch. Filmed and played just super.

Perhaps someone will not immediately understand the ending, but, especially for such viewers, at the end everything is chewed in detail and shown. Although

The narrative of the film, by the way, jumps from the past to the future and back, which may confuse someone. That was the plan. Non-linear storytelling almost always benefits films. Especially when there are certain riddles in them.it's more interesting to guess up to just 2\3, if not in the middle.

Also, the entire timekeeping is divided into 7 chapters: it begins with the name of the profession, then 5 stages of acceptance and the final chapter duplicates the title of the film. Therefore, here you can reflect on which of the main characters goes through these 5 stages of acceptance (or maybe both), but I will not do this, because spoilers are evil!

+addition: there are as many as 3 cameos in the film! Try to get to know everyone!

I had seen both hollywood versions of the real story - both movies were a bit dull. This one though is on the veins of Nordi Noir and the real story the main spine of the story but there's more. The movie is dark,violent,talky,twisty and will hold your interest till the end provided you don't mind subtitles. Attention is needed at every stage as the story telling jumps beteen years but rest assured almost every question is answered by the end. It's a bit relentless although there were at least 3-4 occasions of dark humor. A lot of inspirations can be percieved in the movie from cinematography to camera angles,locations,etc with even a subtle but clear nod to the Korean 'Memories of Murder' (a VHS of the movie is shown as part of the story),Seven,Marshland, I saw the Devil,etc but that can only be a good thing considering the quality of those movies.

No hesitation in recommending this movie if you're into Nordic Noir or even dark,violent Korean films of the genre. Of the three movies based on the real Russian killer - this one ...for me ..hits the mark and stands independently as a very good thriller. Expect it to become a cult favourite.

I am not a great fan of serial killers films, but SE7EN, ZODIAC, SILENCE OF THE LAMBS were outstanding material, even for a non fan as me. I must be fair. This one is perfectly in the mood of such scheme and also the Russian society spirit: dark, hopeless, gloomy, desperate, bleak, brutal. Nothing Hollywood like here, you can also think of some South Korean features such as for instance MEMORIES OF MURDER and many more. I prefer this kind of Russian film instead of pure propaganda war movies or lousy, stupid CGI war costume films...This very flick, I repeat, is the just reflection of the modern Russia. Flawless production design, I would only add that the script is maybe confusing, hard to follow. David Fincher's SE7EN and ZODIAC were a bit easier to get watched. Anyway, it's worth the ride.