To Catch A Killer ★★★

I’LL basically watch anything that Ben Mendelsohn  is in.

The quintessential Australian actor was finally noticed by Hollywood in 2010 with his chilling performance in the crime drama Animal Kingdom.

Throughout his rise over the past 13 years he has maintained a decent balance between making hay while the sun is shining and retaining some artistic integrity.

In terms of the latter, highlights include Killing Them Softly, The Place Beyond The Pines, Starred Up, Mississippi Grind, Una, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, The King, Babyteeth and the television series Bloodline and The Outsider.

The 2023 crime thriller To Catch a Killer lies somewhere between.

Mendelsohn plays FBI chief investigator Lanmark who is leading the hunt for a thrill killer and recruits a bright young (Shailene Woodley) to assist.

While the basic story is relatively standard, in his American film debut Argentinian writer/director Damián Szifron imbues the film with some layered character development.

Lanmark, for example, is having to also navigate the politics associated with his high-pressure job while Woodley’s Eleanor is wrestling with demons from her past.

It’s a solid watch but by no means outstanding in any aspect.

I must see Szifron’s Wild Tales from 2014 which brought him to the attention of Hollywood. Those who have seen it, tell me it’s great.