I Am Not a Serial Killer (2016)

A serial killer mystery hunt monster-morphs into an unexpectedly humanist horror film.

Cinematography by: Robbie Ryan

Country: Ireland/United Kingdom/United States

Based on the YA novel by Dan Wells about a midwestern teenager - recently diagnosed as a borderline sociopath - who puts it upon himself to track down the serial killer preying on his town. While the source material may be categorized as YA, the film is considerably adult, embracing dark themes and heavy topics with sure-handed awareness.

Irish filmmaker Billy O’Brien compassionately explores the psyche of an alienated teenager, and the aftermath of having been dealt a life-changing diagnosis: resulting in a cruel cycle of vilification and self-isolation, and his feeling that since he’s supposedly incapable of empathy, he’s undeserving of it from others. The understanding with which the subject matter is handled throughout sets the film’s final act up for an unexpectedly deep meditation on love, and what it requires to be “human.”