Taking Lives
An FBI profiler hunts a serial killer who survives by murdering men and inhabiting their identities across Montreal.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Brutal
- brooding
- suspenseful
- paranoid
- crime thriller night
- late night suspense viewing
What critics said
Critics generally found the film stylish and atmospheric but predictable, overfamiliar, and weakened by convoluted plotting and uneven performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The serial killer assumes the identities of murdered men, while the investigation repeatedly redirects suspicion among characters.
Martin Asher builds his life by killing men and living under their names, making identity theft the central criminal mechanism.
FBI profiler Illeana Scott is brought to Canada specifically to use her investigative expertise against the serial killer.
The contemporary serial-killer hunt unfolds through Montreal police and FBI investigations in a somber urban atmosphere.
Films like Taking Lives, and why
Se7en
shared serial killer investigation, psychological suspense, police profiling, and dark procedural atmosphere
The Bone Collector
shared identity deception, serial murder investigation, red herrings, and labyrinthine thriller structure
Kiss the Girls
shared serial killer pursuit, profiler protagonist, grim crime atmosphere, and investigative suspense
The Talented Mr. Ripley
shared identity theft, psychological manipulation, and stylish but morally dark crime thriller conventions
Movie Details
- Director
- D.J. Caruso
- Release Date
- 2004-03-19
- Runtime
- 103 min
- Rating
- 6.4 / 10 (1817)
Cast
- Angelina Jolie
- Ethan Hawke
- Kiefer Sutherland
- Gena Rowlands
- Olivier Martinez
- Tchéky Karyo
- Jean-Hugues Anglade
- Paul Dano
- Justin Chatwin
- André Lacoste
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, 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 Taking Lives about?
- An FBI profiler hunts a serial killer who survives by murdering men and inhabiting their identities across Montreal.
- What is Taking Lives like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Taking Lives as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Taking Lives violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Taking Lives as brutal.
- What did critics think of Taking Lives?
- Critics generally found the film stylish and atmospheric but predictable, overfamiliar, and weakened by convoluted plotting and uneven performances.
- Which films are like Taking Lives?
- Films with a similar feel include Se7en, The Bone Collector, Kiss the Girls, and The Talented Mr. Ripley.
- How long is Taking Lives?
- Taking Lives runs 103 minutes.
- Where can I watch Taking Lives?
- In United States, Taking Lives streams on Howdy Amazon Channel.
