La ejecución

I had seen both hollywood versions of the real story - both movies were a bit dull. This one though is on the veins of Nordi Noir and the real story the main spine of the story but there's more. The movie is dark,violent,talky,twisty and will hold your interest till the end provided you don't mind subtitles. Attention is needed at every stage as the story telling jumps beteen years but rest assured almost every question is answered by the end. It's a bit relentless although there were at least 3-4 occasions of dark humor. A lot of inspirations can be percieved in the movie from cinematography to camera angles,locations,etc with even a subtle but clear nod to the Korean 'Memories of Murder' (a VHS of the movie is shown as part of the story),Seven,Marshland, I saw the Devil,etc but that can only be a good thing considering the quality of those movies.

No hesitation in recommending this movie if you're into Nordic Noir or even dark,violent Korean films of the genre. Of the three movies based on the real Russian killer - this one ...for me ..hits the mark and stands independently as a very good thriller. Expect it to become a cult favourite.

This movie is such a weird mix of typical grainy depressing soviet expressionist cinema and more modern lets actually make a movie that has entertainment value school of thought. For something that came out in 2021, it is unfortunately very confused between these two approaches which results in a production that is moody, disjointed, often incoherent and frankly, flat out boring at times. Yet it is not too boring, however it is very difficult to keep track because of how they jump through different scenes that take place in different YEARS yet we are not really focused on that as a viewer, and instead, sidelined into majority of the action taking place in 2-3 literal rooms..

Anyway. This is a crime thriller make no mistake about it. A gritty murderous crime thriller about soviet detectives trying to solve serial murders. Also make no mistake, the characters are very soviet. Depressingly soviet. Perhaps over the top soviet even as they are moody and monotone, even dystopian and very cliched.

How can I go into detail without spoilers here, because if i spoil it, there will be no point to watch it, and there are several good plot twists here. If you are to watch this movie, you will probably think or see at least one of those coming, but you will not see all of them. They put some thought into obscuring things which ended up backfiring I would say. It is difficult to follow and downright confusing at times. Several times i completely lost track which year the movie was in (it changes many times). Worse than that however, i did not care which year it was in! Their entire timeframe felt completely immaterial to the script and plot, only serving as a devise to show the length of time the case was worked. Yes, we get it, it is 10 years. It is literally in your official plot summary. Does the viewer care? No. Should the viewer care? No. You have done nothing to make those 10 years relevant in any real way other than to symbolize soviet incompetence and stagnation of the soviet investigative system. Ok we get it; but is boring and you could have done better.

The better aspects are that is follows the same theme, from the decor to the surroundings to the props to the characters. Individual acting is acceptable, if sadly too theatrical at times giving you the feeling of a stage play. Violence... yes some. If they wanted to go there, they might have done better to take it straight to SAW levels. Because if you are going to have people beat up and sitting in their blood (and other things), at least do the effects and show us. You went for shock value, without the shock!

To watch this successfully you have to be in the proper mood. Would suggest it if you like to watch convoluted movies with several plot twists while leaving you unentertained and unrewarded for putting up with it all for 2 hours. If you are a fan of soviet style moody cinema, you will like this quite a lot. For everybody else, this is easily a 5, max a 6 which I give it based on the revelations near the end.

The impressive directorial debut of Lado Kvataniya. The narrative unfolds in a non-linear fashion and regularly jumps between the two timelines (initially ten years apart but gets narrower as we move forward). The frequent switch between the two timelines is used (as a plot device) to move the story forward, generate suspense, and maintain the tension and thrill throughout. A clever plot device that could have been a disaster in the hands of a less capable director, but here, supported by a strong screenplay and intelligent editing, it worked really well.

Costumes and makeup, especially for aging the characters, are carefully done and worth mentioning. Also, the scenes are lit beautifully.

Influences of some of the popular and acclaimed movies in the suspense/thriller genre can be seen, and the director showed his appreciation by pointing (not so subtly) toward a few of them.

Kazn or The Execution, is reminiscent of films like Silence of the Lambs. Not so much in terms of story but overall treatment.

Its grainy, bleak and gloomy, with an equally depressing subject, the search and capture of Russian serial killers. There's a grotesqueness about this film. It does not shy away from the, at times, revolting, world these killers occupy.

Balancing this, is a story of police corruption and scape goating, that's just as troubling.

Unfortunately, in spite of its dark promise, Kazn, is simply too incoherent, as a film to amount to anything meaningful. You really have to pay close attention, to try and bring together the loose strands of this story.

This shortcoming, is not helped by constant leap frogging between earlier periods and 1991, when everything comes to an head.

In summary, a quality production with a strong cast and interesting, if depressing, material. Its let down by excessive complication and a non linear approach, that makes following what is happening, no small task for the viewer.

NOTE: Why can't this title be found easily by searching IMDB?

5/10.

No pun intended - I have no idea how close this is to the reality, the real man this surely was based on. I also never saw the "Vdud" movie this apparently is referenced in. So I watched this without any previous knowledge and can tell you: the movie works for itself. The suspense that is being built is more than enough.

Also the acting is good - that said, I understand if some people have issues watching movies from Russia at the moment. I would say do not let the artists suffer for what goverments are doing. But it is up to you and what makes most sense to you. Just do not put your opinion and likings on others - you've been warned and all that. Something the victims would have been grateful for ...