Based on the true story of the double initial killings in Rochester, NY.
Like this Movie? You can Favorite it on your Profile.
With more than three decades to heal, it's not a fresh wound, but for some it's still open. Rochester's notorious and unsolved double-initial murders of the early 70's, in which three young ladies lost their lives, has inspired a new psychological thriller called "The Alphabet Killer." Filmed in and around Rochester, "The Alphabet Killer" stars Eliza Dushku ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer") as Megan, a detective whose obsession with the killings takes an enormous toll on her, both personally and professionally. Cary Elwes, Michael Ironside, and Timothy Hutton round out the capable and occasionally hammy cast, as well as great indie mainstays like Melissa Leo ("Frozen River") and Hal Hartley regular Martin Donovan in tiny roles as grieving parents.
Directed by Rob Schmidt ("Wrong Turn"), "The Alphabet Killer" is your basic serial killer movie, adding the nifty touch of unsettling imagery from Japanese horror to illustrate Megan's oddly rapid descent into mental instability. Rochester's sinister, murky greys provide a perfect backdrop for the film, with pivotal scenes unfolding near High Falls and at what is arguably our most majestic cathedral, St. Michael's. On Thursday, November 6, writer/co-star Tom Malloy and executive producer Greg Polisseni will be on hand as Pittsford Cinema hosts the world premiere of "The Alphabet Killer," which, perhaps most importantly to this city, is as respectful as it can be to both the dead and the living while still telling its story.
The Alphabet Killer
(R), directed by Rob Schmidt, opens Friday
User Reviews of The Alphabet Killer (3)
City Newspaper is not responsible for the content of these reviews. City Newspaper reserves the right to remove reviews at their discretion.
tessa said on Sep. 24, 2009 at 12:37am
Not the best film I have seen, but what may be seen as drab and depressing scenery actually well depicts rochester as it is the majority of the year. I did like how accurate the filmmaker was in his attempt to capture the overall feeling of the city. I did not like AT ALL how historically inaccurate this film was. It took events that happened in the 1970's and made them modern day. It could have been a great film had it been made the way it happened. The actual events read just like a horror film. Would have been better without all the ghost stuff... if it had just been a suspenseful thriller.
I'm from Rochester. It's a very grey place, and the sets were true to form... but come on, ghosts? It was a real event, don't insult us up here in rotton-chester by taking our terrifying tale and adding hollywood. That just sucks.
Rae said on Dec. 12, 2009 at 9:10pm
I grew up in Rochester, New York and was around for the double-initial murders that took place in the 70's. In fact, people said I looked so much like Carmen Colon that my parents wouldn't let me venture off our front porch. I tried to watch the movie and found it was grossly absurd and irrevelant to the crimes that were committed. The three little girls that died deserve much better than this and I don't blame any relatives who might be outraged/offended by this pathetic Hollywood attempt at horror. I don't understand why they chose to base this film on those tragedies. As bad as it was, they could have based it on a toilet cleaner commercial for all it really mattered.
Jody said on Mar. 06, 2010 at 7:42pm
I thought the writing was ridiculous! The ghost aspect was very dumb. The real story was gruesome enough. It sometimes felt like an advertisement for it's location, like "I'll throw you in the GENESEE River"...or something like that. I was so excited about this movie. My niece & my husband were extras. It was VERY disappointing. The jeep/scary/love scene kept us laughing for awhile afterwards. The best part was poking fun at how bad it was after...NOT what the families of the victims deserved.
Leave A Review