To Catch a Killer

On a frigid New Year’s Eve in Baltimore, a gifted yet emotionally scarred detective is pulled into a citywide hunt when a top FBI profiler asks for her help. The pair believes her outsider view could detect the pattern behind a ruthless mass killer who has the city on edge. As the case heats up, she must balance a painful past with the demands of a high stakes manhunt, navigating bureaucratic pressure, personal risk, and a tense cat and mouse dynamic that reshapes how she sees justice. The investigation forces buried memories into the light and tests loyalties, professional pride, and the price of chasing someone who seems always a step ahead.

Directed by Damián Szifron from a screenplay by Jonathan Wakeham, To Catch a Killer leans into a sharp procedural with a character driven edge. It premiered in 2023 and stars Shailene Woodley, Ben Mendelsohn, Jovan Adepo, Ralph Ineson, and Richard Zeman. Audience reactions at screenings suggested strong contrasts between Woodley and Mendelsohn.

Critics have voiced mixed to favorable opinions, praising Woodley’s intensity and Szifron's tight handling of tension while suggesting that the film's pacing wobbles at times. The movie delves into how trauma shapes police teamwork, the ethics of profiling, and the personal cost of chasing a ruthless killer.

On its cultural footprint, To Catch a Killer is still setting roots as a recent release. Some viewers will recall Woodley and Mendelsohn from other thrillers, but the title has not sparked widespread quotes or instantly iconic scenes yet, though it may attract a loyal audience on streaming.

Awards: No major nominations are listed in major databases at the time of release. The film has drawn attention for its performances and Szifron's direction, yet it has not accrued notable accolades. This status could change as it circulates more widely.