Metascore

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critics What's this?

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

  • Starring: Brad Renfro, Ian McKellen
  • Summary: A dark drama about a sixteen-year-old honor student who recognizes an old man living in his hometown as a hunted Nazi. Compelled to reveal the secrets of his death camp past to earn the boy's silence, the German fugitive derives a sinister scheme to implicate the teenager in a dangerous psychological game. (Sony) Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 21
  2. Negative: 3 out of 21
  1. Reviewed by: Kim Newman
    80
    Not all the plot developments ring true, but moments carry a real chill - even in a coma, McKellen can terrify a fellow patient almost to death - and it has more than enough thought-provoking material to command your interest.
  2. Reviewed by: Jack Mathews
    60
    Despite the riveting performances of Renfro and McKellen, we're left with classic horror-movie sociopaths, evil-doers without conscience, or much to say about the nature of evil.
  3. 60
    Do director Bryan Singer and screenwriter Brandon Boyce really mean to suggest that the roots of genocide lie in homosexual desire?
  4. 30
    Heartless piece of ill will.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 2
  2. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. RDalvi
    8
    Under-appreciated gem by Singer. McKellen is very nice and Renfro is surprisingly good. Very taut and brilliantly done thriller.
  2. MargretH.
    5
    Worst novella turned book ever.

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