Taking Lives

Recruited to assist Montreal police in their desperate search for a serial killer who assumes the identities of his victims, FBI profiler Illeana Scott knows it's only a matter of time before the killer strikes again. Her most promising lead is a museum employee who might be the killer's only eyewitness.

Critics generally found the film stylish and atmospheric but predictable, overfamiliar, and weakened by convoluted plotting and uneven performances.

• 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.

• Se7enshared serial killer investigation, psychological suspense, police profiling, and dark procedural atmosphere
• The Bone Collectorshared identity deception, serial murder investigation, red herrings, and labyrinthine thriller structure
• Kiss the Girlsshared serial killer pursuit, profiler protagonist, grim crime atmosphere, and investigative suspense
• The Talented Mr. Ripleyshared identity theft, psychological manipulation, and stylish but morally dark crime thriller conventions

Director

D.J. Caruso

Release Date

2004-03-19

Runtime

103 min

Rating

6.4 / 10 (1838)

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.