IMDb RATING
5.4/10
2.2K
YOUR RATING
A serial killer decides to teach the secrets of his satisfying career to a video store clerk.A serial killer decides to teach the secrets of his satisfying career to a video store clerk.A serial killer decides to teach the secrets of his satisfying career to a video store clerk.
- Awards
- 2 wins total
Shadoe Stevens
- Narrator
- (voice)
Ryan Smith
- Thug #1
- (as Ryan K. Smith)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
5.42.2K
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Featured reviews
It sucks ! and not in a good way!
This "movie" took me 2 hours closer to death, but unfortunately didn't finish the job. It got off to a slow start, and was predictable and tedious all the way through. I am a Ted Bundy and Manson girls fan, and was up for this, but any 10 yr old could've written a better screenplay. The actors are likable enough, but they didn't push the premise anywhere near far enough to be funny. It was just sad. I was waiting for some great victims who everyone loves to hate, to get whacked -- clones of Richard Simmons, Bernie Madoff, Rush Limbaugh, the energizer bunny, you name em, but they never showed up. Worst movie I've sat thru for about 20 years, and I have seen them all. Yow! It gets a 2 only for having decent actors. If they ever render you to Gitmo, for having an opinion or some other thought-crime, and show you this movie, GOUGE OUT YOUR EYES with the MacDonalds spork !!!!!!
well made but just misses its mark
I can't say I wanted to like this as we're too full of dark humor glorify brutality themed movies, and even if this was tongue in cheek and self aware black humor, it just wasn't reverential enough to make it shine. The end result was kinda nothing. which is weird cos the lead 2 guys were good, they played well, but it just was missing the it factor, maybe it was script or direction, but no, this wasn't worth the time to watch it. maybe we've had too many of these clever dark and uncomfortable movies and unless you're pushing the boundaries and shocking then there's not much point in your entry. this wasn't boundary pushing or shocking hence it failed.
A serial killer sitcom fun all around
The tone stays consistent and light and fun throughout the film while keeping its message direct and overt. It's on the nose and it's meant to be, it doesn't take itself seriously and I love it! I was astonished that this was the least popular movie on my watchlist. The acting is solid, it has its audio mixing issues but aside from that I love this movie, this is one I will be recommending and putting on at parties.
Great Darkumentary
When my buddies asked me to check out the Horror Film Festival this weekend, I did not suspect to view such a modern twist on the traditional "horror" genre. Rather than drinking in the normally comedic levels of blood and gore, this film let the audience laugh with it. Interestingly, it was at its least gory at the most cinematic points, whether it was the entertaining relationship between Mike and Bart, or the conjured fantasies of the former. The acting of both Dameon Clarke and Matthew Gray Gubler were refreshingly believable, given the set up. I call this a darkumentary because that it takes on the form of a crew following around a spontaneous (not quite serial) killer, Mike, and his apprentice/pupil/friend/video store employee, Bart. As with other "mockumentaries," this creation has a tongue-in-cheek tone throughout. Nonetheless, its humor surpasses what has become banal in horror films of a more traditional ilk. I haven't a strong background when it comes to Horror, and was bashful of my lack thereof while at this horror festival, but I recognized this movie as a new breed of horror. I laughed at the sheer inhumanity because the movie was at that level; I did not laugh when Mike questioned Bart's loyalty, nor when Bart hypothesized worst-case scenarios of getting found out. In fact, the characters in this horror might be its most distinguishing element. Most horror films, even Army of Darkness, are carried by a single lead role. In "How to be a Serial Killer," we follow the progression of 2 men, albeit one in the shadow of the other. Thanks to its documentary side scenes, we get a chance to separate the fourth wall in a genre that is rarely looked at as being multi-dimensional. The more I think about this movie, the more I like it. Funny, well written, impeccable blood and gore, and more thought provoking than I had initially felt. I'll say it here, I think this movie could shed new light on what horror is really all about. Apparently Matthew Gray Gubler has somewhat of a following, and I agree that both leading actors are deserving of future roles.
Weak wannabe copy of Man Bites Dog.
Just finished watching How To Be A serial Killer and to be honest it was a disappointment. I'm pretty sure they got their inspiration from a Belgian movie C'est arrivé près de chez vous (Man Bites Dog,1992) from Rémy Belvaux, a movie that is by the way much better, I recommend you watch that one instead and find out for yourself. That said, How To Be A Serial Killer tries to be funny, dark humor (normally my favorite), but it's just not working. The acting wasn't great either, certainly not towards the end. Anyway, just watch the Belgian movie if you want good mockumentary on the same subject spiced up with some real effective dark humor.
Did you know
- GoofsCharles Manson is not a serial killer in that he never personally killed anyone; he only ordered the killings.
- ConnectionsReferences Powder (1995)
- How long is How to Be a Serial Killer?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Как стать серийным убийцей
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $2,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $899
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $899
- Jul 26, 2009
- Gross worldwide
- $899
- Runtime
- 1h 31m(91 min)
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.78 : 1
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