Recently, I was browsing the internet for suggestions on the best horror films of 2016. I came across a list on Thrillist, and began scrolling with a lack of enthusiasm. Horror films just aren't what they used to be-too much reliance on jump scares and too much lack of plot. But that doesn't mean I've lost complete interest in the genre. I'm always on the lookout for the best deviation from modern-horror, and that most often results in me watching the most deviant, disturbing of films. You know, those hush-hush films Reddit users make lists for? I'm unsure if I'm a hypocrite because of this. Disturbing doesn't necessarily merit a relevant plot. I've run across a few films in my life that done so to perfection, A Clockwork Orange being my favorite of which to-date. So, while I'm intrigued by the lengths to which some films go, I can't call it a 'good film' unless it tells a great story. And this is exactly the hope I had when I stopped on No. 16: I Am Not a Serial Killer.


Billy O'Brien's film portrays John in a skewed light. Admittedly, I had Rory Culkin in my head from Chapter One, sentence one, word one. Shout out to Rory Culkin for being an amazing psycho. Go see Jack Goes Home if you don't believe a Culkin can have talent past childhood. But despite not being Rory, the actor chosen to portray Jack did a fantastic job, Max Records. He nailed the look and attitude of John Cleaver. In fact, the entire cast was outstanding, especially Christopher Lloyd, but when is he not fantastic? Though aesthetics are minor in comparison to the storytelling, I've always had an issue with them. I was thrilled the film was spot-on in this aspect. John's character was the largest downfall to the entire film. In short, the book was centered on John. The movie is centered around events. Watch the trailer below, then let me tell you why this drastically shifts the viewer's perspective of the story, therefore changing the story altogether.
The film left out and skimmed over some of John's key choices and actions that were vital to understanding his character. As I said, the story is all about his battle with sociopathy. Author Dan Wells opens his book by saying how obsessed he was with serial killers, so the book focuses on John's internal battle. The film seems to focus on his battle with the killer as opposed to that with himself, and this might be because of a lack of emphasis on John's perspective. Choosing not to have the film narrated by the character himself seems to be a huge drawback. It takes the focus off John and put's it on the happenings, which isn't how the book is focused at all.

I Am Not a Serial Killer is an independent film, which are the types of films I find to be truly focusing on the art of storytelling. Indie films aren't trying to sell you anything but the story itself. If you're like me, this allows you to look beyond the aesthetics (as these films might not have large budgets) and forces you to appreciate the story itself. Because you can't be blown away by CGI or drawn in by Hollywood "talent," the filmmakers must tell a great story to be recognized. While this film fell short of the story being told in the book, it did a great job of telling a different kind of story. I was disappointed with the atmosphere the director chose to promote,but I appreciated the story being just as thrilling and unpredictable as that of the book.