Overview
A haunting exploration of a detective's relentless pursuit of a brutal killer in a repressive regime.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- grim
- absorbing
- austere
- serious crime night
- true crime viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly regard Citizen X as a fascinating, absorbing, and unusually strong made-for-television crime drama distinguished by its performances and procedural focus.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Lt. Viktor Burakov’s pursuit of the serial killer is repeatedly hindered by Communist-state bureaucracy, incompetence, and officials in power.
The film dramatizes the investigation of Andrei Chikatilo in the Soviet Union and presents the case as a true-crime docudrama.
The story is told from the viewpoint of detective Viktor Burakov as he works over many years to solve the serial-killing case.
The Soviet setting, bureaucratic barriers, and grim homicide investigation create an austere atmosphere rather than sensational spectacle.
Films like Citizen X, and why
Memories of Murder
true-crime procedural focused on institutional failure, psychological investigation, and a grim historical atmosphere
Zodiac
serial killer investigation shaped by bureaucracy, obsessive detectives, and bleak social institutions
The Silence of the Lambs
grounded crime drama about a serial murderer and the investigators pursuing him amid procedural obstacles
The Lives of Others
historical crime procedural combining political repression, investigative persistence, and moral seriousness
Movie Details
- Director
- Chris Gerolmo
- Release Date
- 1995-02-25
- Runtime
- 105 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (400)
Cast
- Stephen Rea
- Donald Sutherland
- Max von Sydow
- Jeffrey DeMunn
- Joss Ackland
- John Wood
- Radu Amzulescu
- Imelda Staunton
- András Bálint
- Géza Balkay
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max
- 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 Citizen X about?
- A determined Soviet detective battles a serial killer and a suffocating bureaucracy that keeps obstructing the truth.
- What is Citizen X like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Citizen X as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Citizen X violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Citizen X as graphic.
- What did critics think of Citizen X?
- Critics broadly regard Citizen X as a fascinating, absorbing, and unusually strong made-for-television crime drama distinguished by its performances and procedural focus.
- Which films are like Citizen X?
- Films with a similar feel include Memories of Murder, Zodiac, The Silence of the Lambs, and The Lives of Others.
- How long is Citizen X?
- Citizen X runs 105 minutes.
- Where can I watch Citizen X?
- In United States, Citizen X streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max.
