Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- tense
- melodramatic
- sleazy
- true crime night
- crime thriller marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the true-crime premise compelling but the film weakened it with thin characterization, limited psychological insight, cheesy tonal cues, and a rushed resolution.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Philip Markoff appears to be a promising medical student and devoted fiancé while secretly targeting women through online advertisements.
The film dramatizes a notorious Craigslist murder case for Lifetime television, foregrounding the killer, victims, investigation, and public fascination.
Markoff’s relationship, medical-school reputation, and online criminal activity are presented in stark parallel contrast.
Critics specifically noted cheesy sound effects used to signal Markoff’s switch from perfect-man mode to psychopath.
Films like The Craigslist Killer, and why
The Boston Strangler
true crime drama centered on a seemingly ordinary man concealing violent crimes and a double life
Monster
crime thriller examining the contrast between a respectable public persona and predatory violence
The Hunt for the BTK Killer
television crime drama with sensational true-crime subject matter and psychological investigation
Movie Details
- Director
- Stephen Kay
- Release Date
- 2011-01-03
- Runtime
- 95 min
- Rating
- 5.2 / 10 (113)
Cast
- Jake McDorman
- Agnes Bruckner
- Julia Campbell
- Kevin Kilner
- Candice Patton
- Judith Hoag
- Sam McMurray
- Joshua Close
- Leela Savasta
- Trieste Kelly Dunn
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Craigslist Killer about?
- A promising Boston medical student’s secret online life exposes the violent double identity behind his perfect future.
- What is The Craigslist Killer like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Craigslist Killer as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Craigslist Killer violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Craigslist Killer as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Craigslist Killer?
- Critics broadly found the true-crime premise compelling but the film weakened it with thin characterization, limited psychological insight, cheesy tonal cues, and a rushed resolution.
- Which films are like The Craigslist Killer?
- Films with a similar feel include The Boston Strangler, Monster, and The Hunt for the BTK Killer.
- How long is The Craigslist Killer?
- The Craigslist Killer runs 95 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Craigslist Killer?
- In United States, The Craigslist Killer is available to rent or buy from Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store.
