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Suspect Zero
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{{Short description|2004 American psychological thriller film}} {{more citations needed|date=July 2017}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}} {{Use American English|date=March 2024}} {{Infobox film | image = Suspect Zero poster.jpg | caption = North American promotional poster | director = [[E. Elias Merhige]] | producer = {{Plainlist| * Gaye Hirsch * E. Elias Merhige * [[Paula Wagner]] }} | screenplay = {{Plainlist| * [[Zak Penn]] * [[Billy Ray (screenwriter)|Billy Ray]] }} | story = Zak Penn | starring = {{Plainlist| * [[Aaron Eckhart]] * [[Ben Kingsley]] * [[Carrie-Anne Moss]] }} | narrator = | music = [[Clint Mansell]] | cinematography = [[Michael Chapman (cinematographer)|Michael Chapman]] | editing = {{Plainlist| * [[John Gilroy (film editor)|John Gilroy]] * Robert K. Lambert }} | studio = {{Plainlist| * [[Intermedia (company)|Intermedia Films]] * [[Lakeshore Entertainment]] * [[Cruise/Wagner Productions|C/W Productions]] }} | distributor = {{Plainlist| * [[Paramount Pictures]] (North America) * [[Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group#Sony Pictures Releasing|CTFDI]] (International) }} | released = {{Film date|2004|8|27}} | runtime = 99 minutes | country = {{Plainlist| * United Kingdom * Germany * United States }} | language = English | budget = $27 million | gross = $11.4 million }} '''''Suspect Zero''''' is a 2004 [[psychological thriller]] film directed by [[E. Elias Merhige]] and starring [[Aaron Eckhart]], [[Ben Kingsley]], and [[Carrie-Anne Moss]]. The film was produced by [[Tom Cruise]]'s co-owned company [[Cruise/Wagner Productions]]{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}}. It was a [[box office bomb]], failing to earn half of its estimated $27 million production costs{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}} The film is about the hunt for Suspect Zero, a potential serial killer who is able to kill indefinitely because he is able to remain undetectable by law enforcement agencies. It features various elements from declassified DIA [[Stargate Project (U.S. Army unit)|Stargate]] remote viewing protocols.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP96-00788R001300050001-3.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170123161913/https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP96-00788R001300050001-3.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 23, 2017|title=Standard Remote-Viewing Protocol (Local Targets)|last=Targ|first=Russell|publisher=CIA|page=5}}</ref> As of 2025, it is the last theatrical film Merhige has directed. == Plot == Harold Speck was a traveling salesman, making the rounds in a small town when he encountered an old man in a diner. The man approached him with a strange, uncomfortable question, before abruptly leaving. Shortly after his visit, Harold was found dead in the front seat of his car, his eyelids cut off and a strange symbol in his grasp, a circular shape with a line drawn through it. [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] Agent Thomas Mackelway, recently suspended for brutally beating suspected [[serial killer]] Raymond Starkey, is brought in to investigate Harold's death. He and his partner Fran Kulok soon become the recipients of a series of taunting [[fax]]es from someone claiming to be the killer, leading them to discover the existence of Suspect Zero, a mysterious criminal responsible for hundreds of unsolved deaths and leaving no physical evidence behind. With the help of a mysterious informant known only as "Mr. Blue", Mackelway and Kulok follow the clues left by Suspect Zero in order to find the truth behind Harold Speck's tragic and mysterious death. When another body is found in the trunk of a car, the agents trace the ownership of the car to a room in a halfway house occupied by Benjamin O'Ryan. Upon further investigation, they discover that the room is decorated with [[Obsessive-compulsive disorder|obsessive-compulsive]] sketches of a crossed-circle symbol, a [[Bible]] with sketches of missing persons, and a book on [[ritual]]. As Mackelway begins to question the other occupants of the halfway house, one of them informs him that the symbol actually represents a [[zero]], not a circle. The killer also sends the agents mysterious information, prompting Mackelway to focus on O'Ryan. O'Ryan claims to be an ex-member of the FBI, but the agents can't be sure if O'Ryan is the key to catching the elusive Suspect Zero, or if he is Suspect Zero himself. With the evidence they have, fiery passion for justice, as well as hope, the agents must make a calculated guess to finally bring down the elusive figure who has eluded authorities for so long. It is only when Mackelway uses his abilities to uncover the name of Starkey's partner in crime, along with evidence proving O'Ryan's innocence, that the case is solved. The evening was warm and still as Mackelway and Kulok drove towards the bar. They had received a call about an attempted kidnapping and were on their way to help the victim. When they arrived, they found O'Ryan standing outside, the body of a man lying near his feet. To their shock, they recognized him as Starkey, a man that had recently been released from prison. Evidence soon came to light that O'Ryan was part of Project Icarus, an experimental program aimed at developing and harnessing [[remote viewing|telepathic abilities]] in individuals for military purposes. O'Ryan had used these abilities to understand the actions of serial killers, leading him to hunt them down. It was then that Mackelway discovered that he too had limited access to these abilities. Kulok and Mackelway's superiors were unconvinced by O'Ryan's claims that the man had been the victim of a serial killer rather than the perpetrator. It took Mackelway's use of his abilities to uncover the identity of Starkey's partner in crime, as well as conclusive evidence that O'Ryan was indeed innocent, for the case to be solved. Finally, there was justice for the young girl who was almost taken away, with O'Ryanβs use of his special abilities providing the solution to the case. Suspect Zero is revealed to be a man who drives cross-country in a [[refrigerated truck]] as part of an elaborate scheme to target and kidnap children. It's only when FBI agent Mackelway discovers signs of [[freezer burn]]s on his victims that he knows they were being transported in the truck. Mackelway makes his way to a local carnival in pursuit of the truck driver and is surprised to find the child he had seen in his vision as being "captured" is now free. He is then suddenly approached by O'Ryan, who captures Mackelway, though spares him after witnessing his bravery. O'Ryan and Mackelway team up and eventually find out the identity of Suspect Zero and trace him back to his ranch, where they discover numerous shallow graves. In an ensuing chase, both vehicles crash off the road and Kulok manages to rescue a child, while Mackelway kills Suspect Zero. But O'Ryan attempts to convince Mackelway to put an end to his suffering by killing him. When Mackelway refuses, O'Ryan pretends to attack, [[suicide by cop|prompting Kulok to shoot him]] in order to protect her partner. ==Cast== * [[Aaron Eckhart]] as Thomas Mackelway * [[Ben Kingsley]] as Benjamin O'Ryan * [[Carrie-Anne Moss]] as Fran Kulok * [[Kevin Chamberlin]] as Harold Speck * [[Harry Lennix|Harry J. Lennix]] as Rich Charleton * Keith Campbell as Raymond Starkey ==Production== {{unreferenced section|date=July 2017}} ===Screenplay=== The film is based on a first draft by [[Zak Penn]], which allegedly impressed [[Steven Spielberg]] so much in its depiction of serial killers' elongated middle fingers that he went home and checked his children's hands.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aintitcool.com/node/12641|title=MORIARTY Captures the Shooting Draft of SUSPECT ZERO and Puts It Out of Its Misery!!}}</ref> After it was sold to [[Universal Pictures|Universal Studios]] for $750,000, [[Cruise/Wagner Productions]] became attached to the film, with [[Tom Cruise]] and [[Paula Wagner]] producing. However the script was put onto the back burner after a deal to make the movie in 1997 with [[Sylvester Stallone]] fell through.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.weeklystandard.com/jonathan-v-last/anatomy-of-a-murder|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205172036/https://www.weeklystandard.com/jonathan-v-last/anatomy-of-a-murder|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 5, 2018|title=Anatomy of a Murder|date=10 September 2004}}</ref> Cruise had intended to star in the film initially, but instead opted to star in ''[[Eyes Wide Shut]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Vejvoda|first=Jim|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/08/03/vampire-director-named-prime-suspect|title=''Vampire'' Director Named Prime ''Suspect''|date=August 3, 2001|website=IGN|accessdate=May 28, 2022}}</ref> Universal then courted [[Ben Affleck]] to rewrite Penn's script, but Affleck would depart the project over creative differences in November 1999.<ref>{{cite web|last=Green|first=Willow|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/suspect-zero-stalls/|title=''Suspect Zero'' Stalls|date=November 14, 1999|website=Empire Online|accessdate=May 28, 2022}}</ref> [[Christian Duguay (director)|Christian Duguay]] would sign on to direct the film, while [[Paul Schrader]] and [[Richard Friedenberg]] were brought in for subsequent script revisions.<ref>{{cite web|last=Vejvoda|first=Jim|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/08/03/vampire-director-named-prime-suspect|title=''Vampire'' Director Named Prime ''Suspect''|date=August 3, 2001|website=IGN|accessdate=May 28, 2022}}</ref> By August 2001, [[E. Elias Merhige]] replaced Duguay as director, with production gearing up to start in fall of that year.<ref>{{cite web|last=Vejvoda|first=Jim|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/08/03/vampire-director-named-prime-suspect|title=''Vampire'' Director Named Prime ''Suspect''|date=August 3, 2001|website=IGN|accessdate=May 28, 2022}}</ref> In 2002, Cruise/Wagner Productions hired [[Billy Ray (screenwriter)|Bill Ray]] to rewrite Penn's original script.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.screenwritersutopia.com/article/cfd12768|title=Billy Rays of Light|date=February 25, 2002|website=Screenwriter's Utopia|accessdate=May 29, 2022}}</ref> Changes included moving the action from [[Texas]], making the lead character a burned-out, disgraced FBI agent rather than a rookie, and turning a maverick [[Offender profiling|criminal profiler]] into a [[psychic]] with the power of [[remote viewing]].{{citation needed|date=May 2022}} ===Filming=== The film began shooting in [[Albuquerque, New Mexico]] in 2002.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Facts About The Movie Suspect Zero π₯ - ESH |url=https://epicstorieshub.com/en/facts-about-the-movie-suspect-zero-en.html |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=epicstorieshub.com}}</ref> The state was chosen because it offered tax-free incentives and financial funding to film companies using New Mexico.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 September 2006 |title=Location report: New Mexico |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/location-report-new-mexico-138743}}</ref> The program was established to entice film makers to the state.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Incentives |url=https://nmfilm.com/why-new-mexico/incentives-2 |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=New Mexico Film Office |language=en-US}}</ref> ==Reception== {{expand section|date=July 2017}} On review aggregator [[Rotten Tomatoes]], ''Suspect Zero'' holds an approval rating of 17% based on 127 reviews, with an average rating of 4.4/10. The site's critics consensus reads, "Other than Ben Kingsley, there's not much to like in this preposterous thriller."<ref name="rottomatoes">{{cite web |title=Suspect Zero (2004) - Rotten Tomatoes|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/suspect_zero|website=Rotten Tomatoes.com|publisher=Flixster |access-date=March 11, 2025}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a weighted average score of 37 out of 100, based on 29 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/suspect-zero/critic-reviews|title=Suspect Zero reviews|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |work=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=December 18, 2018}}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "Cβ" on an A+ to F scale.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.cinemascore.com |title=Suspect Zero |work=[[CinemaScore]] |accessdate=June 19, 2024}}</ref> [[Roger Ebert]] felt that the film was too confusing, stating "enigmatic flashes of incomprehensible action grow annoying, and a point at which we realize that there's no use paying close attention, because we won't be able to figure out the film's secrets until they're explained to us."<ref name="ebert04">{{cite web |last1=Ebert |first1=Roger |title=Suspect Zero Movie Review & Film Summary (2004) |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/suspect-zero-2004 |website=Roger Ebert.com |publisher=Roger Ebert |access-date=18 December 2018}}</ref> Nick Schager from ''[[Slant Magazine]]'' wrote a particularly scathing review of the film, stating "''Suspect Zero'' proves, uninspired imitation is the lowest form of thriller filmmaking."<ref name="slant04">{{cite web |last1=Schager |first1=Nich |title=Suspect Zero |url=http://admin.slantmagazine.com/film/review/suspect-zero |website=Slant Magazine.com |publisher=Nick Schager |access-date=18 December 2018}}</ref> Carla Meyer from the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' was also critical of the film, writing, "''Suspect Zero'' needed to be exceptional, and it isn't. It's merely adequate, with one riveting element but limited chills."<ref name="sfgate04">{{cite web |last1=Meyer |first1=Carla |title=Madman offers some killer advice - SFGate |url=https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Madman-offers-some-killer-advice-2698512.php |website=SF Gate.com |date=27 August 2004 |publisher=Carla Meyer |access-date=18 December 2018}}</ref> ==Home media== ''Suspect Zero'' was released via DVD on April 12, 2005,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blu-ray.com/dvd/Suspect-Zero-DVD/23071/|title=Suspect Zero on DVD|access-date=March 28, 2018}}</ref> and was re-released via DVD on August 1, 2017 by [[Paramount Home Entertainment]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blu-ray.com/dvd/Suspect-Zero-DVD/152926/|title=Suspect Zero on DVD (re-release)|access-date=March 28, 2021}}</ref> ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * {{IMDb title|0324127}} * {{rotten-tomatoes|id=suspect_zero}} * {{Mojo title|suspectzero}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20090804203333/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/290406/Suspect-Zero/details Cast/Crew listing] by the [[New York Times]] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20080110175352/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/290406/Suspect-Zero/overview New York Times Review] by [[Manohla Dargis]] {{E. Elias Merhige}} {{Zak Penn}} {{Billy Ray}} [[Category:2004 films]] [[Category:2000s English-language films]] [[Category:Paramount Pictures films]] [[Category:Columbia Pictures films]] [[Category:American psychological thriller films]] [[Category:2004 psychological thriller films]] [[Category:American police detective films]] [[Category:Films shot in New Mexico]] [[Category:American vigilante films]] [[Category:Paranormal films]] [[Category:Cruise/Wagner Productions films]] [[Category:Lakeshore Entertainment films]] [[Category:Films with screenplays by Zak Penn]] [[Category:Films directed by E. Elias Merhige]] [[Category:Films scored by Clint Mansell]] [[Category:Films with screenplays by Billy Ray]] [[Category:Films produced by Tom Rosenberg]] [[Category:Films produced by Gary Lucchesi]] [[Category:2000s American films]] [[Category:English-language thriller films]]
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