A Killer Within (2004)

Good concept, poorly executed.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

I played a small role in this movie as a lawyer in the courtroom. It was exciting to watch Sean Young, C. Thomas Howell, and Dedee Pheiffer work together in a film. The cast had real chemistry, and it all came together well after the editing. The plot kept you guessing who was the real culprit. The script was well written, and the production was good to be a part of. I have watched it five times and each time I learn something different that I did not see before. I would recommend this film. This just shows that independent films have merit, and that a low budget does not mean anything is being sacrificed in the process. Good films are being made outside of California, and New York allowing unknown writers and actors to find a market and an audience.Joe L.Blevins P.S. Also, I wanted to say that many people have been so negative over this movie. It seems that few have tried to write a script as I have, (or a book) and tried to act in a decent movie premise. This has flaws as most any other movie has, but for the most part I have a better appreciation to understand what all goes into the production from the git-go, and perhaps others need to try to understand the process better before they throw in the towel, and start bad-mouthing a certain production. (It is better than the remakes of television shows, into flaky movies.) This was better than the standard fare of premises, and to see people like Ben Browder, and Sean Young and such, was really exciting. But still your opinion is your opinion, like it, or lump it. It's your choice.

I did sit through the entire film. Just wanted to see if there was any redemption towards the end. There wasn't. I admire anyone who takes the plunge into directing films. Not an easy task. There's, of course, the costs. This alone deserves respect. Brad Keller directs his first feature film with interesting angle shots. Unfortunately he has a bad script to deal with by Chris and William Peirson. It's full of clichés and no surprise ending. I knew from the top of the picture. It was obvious. Won't reveal the ending in case any other brave souls wish to view this sad tale.The one redeeming feature is the presence of Sean Young who doesn't last too long in the movie - too bad. She does her best and adds a touch of a classic movie star appearance. Others don't fare too well. C Thomas Howell I think was miscast. His acting was one level. Ben Browder came off a little better, but, too, play the same droll performance. A good looker, he might have carried out the lead a bit better. Dedee Pfeiffer as Browder's wife, did over the wall acting. Too much. Someone should have mentioned she was doing film and not stage acting. The young boy, not even given credit on the web, was given nothing, and did nothing. A cute kid, who needed direction or guidance.Sadly, I have to give this a 3 count. Young's presence deserves that alone. Sorry.

This movie has gotta be the worst movie I've watched in a long long time. Throughout the movie you'd squirm at how such an awful movie got made in the first place. Everything about this movie from acting, directing, lighting, editing, etc.. scream sub-amateurish. 15 minutes into the movie and you begin to feel that this is going to be a lousy movie. It is so incredibly bad that I have to force myself to watch it till the end to make sure that it is indeed as bad as I've predicted. I feel sorry to see Sean Young got caught in this outing although I admire her for trying to give anyone watching this something for their time in the form of a 2 second full frontal. The whole storyline is stupidly weak and the ending is terrible. This movie does not even qualify for a made for TV movie. This is the first time I've written a review and I'm doing it to warn all movie fans to keep away. Avoid this movie. Go watch the TV, read something, listen to some music.. do anything but watch this. It is that bad! You've been warned. The only decent thing about this is the DVD cover.

A Killer Within is a remarkably well written story, unique in todays context, that is perfectly cast and intelligently developed as a less than obvious who-done-it. From a leisurely beginning filled with clues the story rapidly builds to a sustained intensity and a climax.I loved the scenes on the lake. Beautiful! For a first movie I was astonished. I think we have something to look forward to from the writer. The director had some clever angles and the swimming pool scene was downright scary.I usually guess the killer but not this time. Overall it was an enjoyable evening.