To Catch a Killer

To Catch a Killer

Year: 2023

Runtime: 119 min

Language: English

Director: Damián Szifron

Echo Score: 73
DramaMysteryThrillerCrime

Haunted by her past, Detective Eleanor joins forces with an FBI chief to hunt a clever killer. As they delve into the investigation, they encounter perplexing twists and turns, forcing them to question the motives behind the perpetrator's violent acts. Eleanor must confront her own inner struggles while attempting to decipher the killer's methods and ultimately bring him to justice.

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Timeline & Setting – To Catch a Killer (2023)

Explore the full timeline and setting of To Catch a Killer (2023). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The events occur in a contemporary, present-day setting. Modern surveillance, media coverage, and police procedures shape the investigation, aligning with current crime-drama tropes. The New Year’s Eve timing provides a backdrop of mass gatherings and widespread public violence.

Location

Baltimore, Maryland, Rural Maryland, Southern Maryland

Set primarily in Baltimore with the city’s downtown high-rise backdrop, the story also traverses rural Maryland landscapes. The contrast between the urban center and the quieter rural areas underscores the scale of the crime and investigation. Key action unfolds from a sniper’s nest in the city to a slaughterhouse in the Maryland countryside, illustrating the broad geographic scope of the case.

🌆 Urban Baltimore 🌄 Rural Maryland 🗺️ Crime thriller backdrop

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:50

Main Characters – To Catch a Killer (2023)

Meet the key characters of To Catch a Killer (2023), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Eleanor Falco (Shailene Woodley)

An FBI agent who becomes the Bureau’s liaison to the Baltimore Police Department. She is perceptive, stubborn in her logic, and willing to challenge conventional thinking to connect disparate clues. Her empathy and instinct drive her to look beyond official lines of inquiry, even when it puts her at odds with superiors.

🕵️‍♀️ FBI Agent 💡 Analytical 🤝 Persistent

Dean Possey (Ralph Ineson)

A highly skilled shooter with a troubling past, whose veganism and former slaughterhouse work shape his worldview. He plans and executes his assaults with precision, making him a formidable and unsettling antagonist. Beneath his calm exterior lies a propensity for escalating violence when cornered.

🔫 Serial shooter 🗡️ Meticulous 🥗 Vegan

Geoffrey Lammark (Ben Mendelsohn)

An FBI agent leading the investigation, navigating interagency politics and pressures from his superiors. His ambition and confidence drive the hunt, but his decisions contribute to failures that have personal and professional consequences. His arc culminates in a fatal confrontation that tests loyalty and consequence.

🧠 Lead Investigator 💼 Bureau Veteran 🔥 Driven

Jack McKenzie (Jovan Adepo)

Lammark’s second-in-command, a capable field agent who supports the lead and helps coordinate operations. He bears the weight of the case and the stress of a high-stakes manhunt, remaining a steady, dependable presence for the team.

🕵️‍♂️ Second-in-command 💪 Loyal 🧭 Strategic

Ramona (Marcella Lentz-Pope)

A former coworker who provides crucial context about the shooter, linking past experiences to present actions. Her practical memory and willingness to share information help the team identify connections they might otherwise overlook.

🧠 Informant 🗣️ Contextual memory 👁️ Insight

Rodney Lang (Darcy Laurie)

A ruthless boss who hires ex-convicts to cut costs, revealing a corrupt side of the criminal justice system. He exerts behind-the-scenes influence over investigative directions and highlights systemic moral ambiguity in pursuit of order.

💼 Boss 🗝️ Corrupt influence 🧱 Systemic manipulation

Marquand (Unknown)

Lammark’s team member who sustains a serious injury in the shootout, underscoring the real human cost of dangerous undercover work. The event tests the resilience and cohesion of the remaining team.

🛡️ Team member 🫶 Resilience

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:50

Major Themes – To Catch a Killer (2023)

Explore the central themes of To Catch a Killer (2023), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔎 Investigation & Truth

The plot centers on pursuing elusive leads and deciphering misinformation. Investigators chase complex clues across agencies, revealing how misdirection and gaps in the system can delay justice. The pursuit of truth becomes a tense, evolving process with high personal and professional costs.

🤝 Empathy vs Duty

Eleanor’s ability to empathize with the suspect challenges rigid institutional duties and political pressures. This tension drives key decisions and questions whether humane interpretation can coexist with prosecutorial aims. It tests loyalty within the Bureau and the police department.

🔥 Violence & Fallout

The violent acts ripple outward, redefining public perception and media narratives. The violence exacts a heavy toll on officers, bystanders, and the integrity of the institutions involved. The aftermath prompts questions about accountability and the price paid for pursuing a case at any cost.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:50

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To Catch a Killer Summary

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To Catch a Killer Summary

To Catch a Killer Timeline

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To Catch a Killer Timeline

To Catch a Killer Ending Explained

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To Catch a Killer Ending Explained

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