I Am Not a Serial Killer (2016) Review – A Cold, Clever, and Corrosive Cult Hit

Welcome to Knockout Horror. Today we are checking out Billy O’Brien’s award winning horror movie I Am Not a Serial Killer from 2016.

A unique horror experience

I Am Not a Serial Killer follows the story of John Wayne Cleaver (Max Records). John has been seeing a psychologist due to having violent fantasies and homicidal thoughts. The psychologist tells John that he is potentially suffering from sociopathy but he is determined to put it to good use. After learning of a serial killer haunting his town, John becomes determined to discover and reveal the identity of the man, little realising that the truth may be something more monstrous than he could have possibly imagined.

“The town is as much of a character as anyone else in the film. The picture is filmed in 1.66:1 with significant film grain, offering it a nostalgic feel.”

I Am Not a Serial Killer is, at its heart, a proper small town America horror movie that sits somewhere between being a mystery and a full blown exploration of a psychopath. The movie feels somewhat similar to recent hits such as Super Dark Times and The Clovehitch Killer in that respect. There is something of a Stephen King novel feeling to the story and setting. The town is as much of a character as anyone else in the film.

You can tell that director O’Brien was going for a vibe with this aesthetic. The picture is filmed in the rarely used 1.66:1 aspect ratio with significant levels of film grain which offers it a nostalgic feel. With that being said, the small town setting does play into the story, too. This is a tight community of recognisable characters that know each other and are all connected in some way. There’s a killer on the loose and John feels as though the perpetrator could be right on his doorstep. The one thing he knows for sure is that it isn’t him, despite his homicidal impulses.

A cold and imposing landscape

I Am Not a Serial Killer is set in Midwestern America during Fall and features a snow covered landscape that offers the movie a unique aesthetic. Slightly reminiscent of Let the Right One In, but with a little sprinkling of Derry, Maine style charm. It’s pretty gorgeous to look at and pulls you in almost immediately. It all adds to the feeling that this is a horror movie quite unlike anything else.

For one, it features an atypical young protagonist who is desperately flawed and only a few steps away from being an antagonist himself. He’s aloof and uncaring but also intelligent, witty, and very aware of the world around him. John is a disturbed character and most viewers will likely not relate to some of his beliefs but that is what makes him so interesting. We see the world through his somewhat twisted vision which offers a very unique perspective for a horror movie.

“He is not afraid to venture into dangerous situations to find out what is going on. Later in the movie, he reveals some of the darkness in himself.”

Most genre protagonists would be horrified to see dead bodies and murders taking place in front of them. John, however, isn’t. It doesn’t bother him but he wants to know who the hell is responsible. This lends him a lack of fear that is uncommon in this type of lead character. He is not afraid to venture into dangerous situations to find out what is going on. Later on in the movie he extends this even further to reveal some of the darkness in himself. It’s a very unique approach and makes John feel as though he is on somewhat equal footing with the things he is up against.

A slow build and a great twist

I Am Not a Serial Killer features a very slow burn but the pacing is, in my opinion, perfect. In most similar movies your average horror protagonist would be in a rush to find out what is going on. That’s not the case with John. He’s a psychopath himself so isn’t overly concerned with the fate of the town’s residents. A few can bite the bullet while he takes his time to investigate and formulate the perfect plan. Again, this movie is incredibly unique in that respect. Think Dexter but with less murder from John himself.

That doesn’t mean I Am Not a Serial Killer isn’t packed with tension, though. John is never too far away from danger and his lack of fear puts him in some dangerous situations. He goes to extremes to uncover the mystery of the killer and breaking into people’s houses is just one of the tools in his chest. When he knows who is responsible, he goes to some seriously devious lengths to increase the heat for the perpetrator.

Again, John isn’t far from an antagonist himself so don’t expect him to approach the situation with kid gloves and inform the police. He is going to get up close and personal and bring the trauma right to the doorstep of the killer. It’s utterly gripping stuff and so different from what you have come to expect in this genre.

I obviously have to mention the twist, as well. This is a movie that pulls the rug from under your feet in the most spectacular way. I won’t spoil it but, suffice to say, I doubt you will see it coming. Even if you think you know what will happen, the way in which it happens will surprise you because it is just so damn out there. I loved it but wasn’t sure at first which brings me onto my next point.

Wickedly funny but not for everyone

The twist in the story here might put some people off. It goes in a direction that is absolutely ludicrous and almost doesn’t fit with the story. Some are bound to find it a leap of logic too far and very unearned. Still, others will really appreciate just how strange it is. This is a movie with a focus on humour, as well. Another divisive element.

“With that being said, some people aren’t fans of comedy horror and it won’t land. While I wouldn’t outright class I Am Not a Serial Killer as a comedy horror, it commits to it more than most horror movies do.”

I Am Not a Serial Killer is genuinely hilarious at times. John is a funny character with a quick wit and Christopher Lloyd’s Mr Crowley is seriously comical in moments where you would ordinarily think it wouldn’t fit. There are some fantastic scenes that will really make you chuckle. Some of the characters are there purely for comedic value, as well. The comedy timing is perfect and I really appreciate the director’s commitment to keeping it somewhat light.

With that being said, some people aren’t fans of comedy horror and it won’t land. While I wouldn’t outright class I Am Not a Serial Killer as a comedy horror, it commits to it more than most horror movies do. I wouldn’t suggest that people who don’t like horror with a comedy bent avoid it, though. It’s a seriously fantastic horror movie in its own right, the comedy is just a bonus.

Fantastic acting

Seeing Christopher Lloyd’s name in the cast list you probably know you are going to get at least one decent performance. I Am Not a Serial Killer, however, features a bunch of them. Christopher Lloyd is absolutely fantastic, as always. He can be a little difficult to understand at times due to his character being somewhat old and tired. Aside from that he puts on an impactful performance that is incredibly multi-layered and entirely enjoyable.

Max Records, as John Wayne Cleaver, is brilliant, as well. He perfectly portrays a character that is aloof and somewhat unaffected by the world around him. Being tasked with having such a complex personality, Records manages to put across the difficulties John faces and does so with a wry, somewhat menacing, humour to everything. He somehow manages to bring nuance to John’s generally flat emotions and is never once anything other than very convincing.

The side cast is all great. There are no weak performances but some do stand out as being particularly good or fun. Raymond Brandstrom, as Max, has some great lines. Karl Geary, as Dr Neblin, is hilarious with his bird fascination and pieces of advice for John and Dee Noah, as Kay, is also perfectly fitting. It’s a great cast that does a fantastic job.

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Horror is a genre that thrives thanks to indie film makers and low budget creators. At Knockout Horror, we firmly believe that every movie that we review deserves a fair fight. That's why we grade on a curve. Our star ratings are all about context, judging a film on what it achieves with the resources it has.

A 4-star rating for a scrappy indie horror made for $10,000 is a testament to its ingenuity and raw power. A 4-star rating for a $100 million blockbuster means it delivered on its epic promises. We don't compare them side-by-side; we celebrate success in every weight class, from the back-alley brawler to the heavyweight champion. Please keep this in mind when considering star ratings.

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