Dot.Kill Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
You're Dying To Watch.
A vicious serial killer is broadcasting his brutal slayings live on the Internet for all to see, and the only hope to put an end to his voyeuristic killing spree is a morphine-addicted detective in this thriller from Ghost Story director John Irvin. The technologically savvy madman has struck once again, and with each killing, drug-addicted detective Charlie Daines (Armand Assante) is coming one step closer to discovering the killer's true identity. As the clock on the next murder counts down, Detective Daines realizes that the killer has begun to take his investigation personally. Upon realizing that the hunter has become the hunted, Detective Daines sets out on a desperate mission to find the killer before he himself is slaughtered live on camera for all the world to see.
| Armand Assante | Charlie Daines |
| Sonny Marinelli | Harwell |
| Raffaello Degruttola | Adam |
| Stanley Townsend | Byrnes |
| Clare Holman | Mary |
| Frank Nasso | Stevie |
| Jason Durran | C.I.T.U Specialist Mitch |
| Tony Schiena | C.I.T.U Specialist Pete |
| Jeff Merchant | Edward Maxwell |
| Ray Nicholas | Charles Horvath |
| Frank Henson | Michael McEllroy |
| Morven Christie | Jane |
| Kieran Cunningham | Frank Schuman |
| James Jordan | Dr. Morelli |
| John Irvin |
4.80 out of 10 (222 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Dot.Kill
posted on 03 Jul 2009An aging Armand Assante stars as a grumpy, disgruntled, temperamental detective Charlie Daines, eaten up with cancer, trying desperately to fight thru his pain to solve a difficult case concerning a serial killing Master Hacker whose murdering Big Company CEOs for a live on-line audience, while also capturing the cops working the crime scene through hidden cameras displaying them for millions to witness. Embittered and hard-nosed, Daines is just too stubborn to check into a hospital, receiving morphine from an ex-addict he helped get off junk, just so he can cope with the agony of his disease. But, the NYC police must cooperate with the feds who have hired a cyber-specialist, Adam(Raffaello Degruttola)to assist in finding the psycho while "dinosaur" Daines continues to pursue leads using his instincts and nose through good old fashioned police work. Here's the rub..how does a sickly detective, combating coughing fits and exhaustion, find a killer of supreme intelligence? While, I'll be the first to admit that this film is indeed derivative of other films regarding cyber-psychos and the pursuit of their capture, I think what makes "Dot.Kill" work is Assante's effective performance as the detective contemplating life, trying to enjoy the time left with his wife and son(..keeping his disease secret from them out of love), while doping up as he bickers with his superiors and partner over tackling the case his way as they demand his cooperation with Adam, whose knowledge(..and language) of the cyberspace is of importance. The cat-and-mouse, as one would expect, soon involves Daines because(..isn't it always obvious?)he's the man tracking his identity and whereabouts. The twist on who the killer really is might work on some, but I feel that viewers who have adapted to these kind of thrillers will figure it out before it is revealed 75 minutes in. Couple the "colorful" cop talk from one to another(..little profane insults towards one another and plenty of f-bombs to go around)with having to watch a slowly dying man looking worse and worse as the film continues, might be a difficult watch for some. As usual in these kind of cop-psycho thrillers, Daines travels through seedy locales on the street to get info(..and morphine)and we see that a few of the wealthy targets engage in carnal activities. It's also a challenge to root for Daines, who is rugged, foul-mouthed, easily annoyed, and speaks his mind whether you like what he has to say or not. But, as we watch during the film, he's a good cop whose "flaws" make the character so interesting and rich. Assante is in practically every scene and the whole show. I'd recommend checking this out for his performance, even if the film itself feels old-hat and familiar.
Nothing new under cloudy skies
posted on 28 Sep 2007I was kind of surprised to find a straight to video police thriller by a mainstream director, John Irvin, and starring a mainstream actor, Armand Assante. What didn't surprise me at all was its weak disjointed story with very little sense guiding the cops' actions in finding the killer.A couple things were done alright. The locations of the crimes (which are all shown live on the internet, hence the title) are always cool derelict industrial settings. None of them are used to very good effect, but they are good locations. Armand Assante brings a lot to the unfortunately underwritten role of the morphine addict detective. The sad part is that this addiction was a lazy screenwriter's device to take the place of character development, punctuate almost every scene (Assante faithfully coughs away any plot-related dialogue), and generate "suspense" in later scenes. Although, the dimension of his character, as a supposedly obsolete detective matching wits with a high-tech criminal, is still a good idea.The identity of the killer is not very hard to guess. In fact the central plot of the picture is a bleeding cliché, surrounded by the window dressing of would-be character development, seemingly as a distraction. This was obviously a low budget picture, but it wasn't the budget that holds the movie back from its potential, it's the weak script and the failure on the part of the director, cinematographer, editor, to create a harmoniously atmospheric thriller out of this routine cop-vs-bad-guy movie."Dot.Kill" is pretty obviously trying to do some of what "Se7en" did so well and that "Fear dot com" tried to do. However, it just doesn't have the same freshness that "Se7en" had (and really hasn't lost) nor does it have the atmosphere and aesthetic grace. I can't say I'm surprised, but I'm always upset when I see missed potential. Just go watch any David Fincher movie instead.
worth watching
posted on 27 Aug 2007One of those movies that you select at Blockbuster when most of the viewing choices are unappetizing. Armande Assante delivers a strong performance as a police detective, with a bad smoking habit, trying to run down a creative killer. In this moody, urban film all the acting is above average and the story is well paced. The number of characters in the story is substantial but the lead actors (wife, son, buddy, snitch, computer-geek) are easy to follow. The killer selects each of his victims from diverse backgrounds and then proceeds to murder them in unusual - but appalling ways. If you're tired of the animated animals (exception: Ice Age) and/or the non-funny slapstick comedies populating video stores, try Dot.Kill.
How do I get a hold of this movie?
posted on 11 Aug 2007I saw a rough preview of this about a year ago in the UK and now am desperately looking for a DVD of it. Does anyone have any idea what happened with it or where it was released,how I can find it, etc? By the way, I actually thought it was a neat film. Great idea for a thriller, just wished it had more money behind it. Assante does a really great job in it and some of the other characters, Sonny Marinelli and Morven Christie especially, really impressed me. Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think anyone else has made a film about a killer who puts his killings on the web...? An interesting comment on modern society. Anyway, would really like to see the finished product if anyone has any leads. Cheers!
Spoiler? hell, this movie was spoiled long before I reviewed it
posted on 13 Sep 2006So, this evening my boyfriend and I decided to spend the night relaxing at home and rented this movie off our COMCAST on DEMAND.Yes, the movie, which would be better described as 'fecal matter', cost us a whopping $3.99 too damn much.Aside from having little or no suspense, bad acting, and weak effects, the only thing really missing from making this a complete waste of time and money was the flashing neon arrow hovering over the 'handicapped killer' in the scenes of which he rolled past.I would like to know what teenage youth group wrote this piece of 'work'? Or perhaps who gave a monkey a type writer? My 3 year old nephew could keep a secret longer than this film took to reveal the killer.Go ahead, waste your money, waste your time, hell this movie is a complete and total waste and if that is what you have in mind for 'having a good time' then this is the perfect movie for you.
Another Marginalized Cop Tracks Another Serial Murderer
posted on 26 May 2006How is it possible to freshen up a story like this? Here is this New York homicide detective, Armand Assante, who is part of a team trying to trace a serial killer with a penchant for broadcasting his murders on the internet. The murders are always done live but at a distance. Eg., the broadcast begins only when the victim is already tied to a post and is being drowned by the rising tide. We've already got the cop at odds with his boss. We've already got the internet involved.Well, you can make the detective a terminal case of lung cancer, who keeps his medical status from his wife and adolescent boy and from everybody else except the young blond ex-hooker who serves as his heroin connection. Yes, he's an addict too. How's that for originality? The writers seem to have thrown up their hands in despair. The well is dry. There is nothing else to pull into the plot. And what there is, isn't especially well written. The first scene introduces us to Assante, his wife, and his young boy seated around the breakfast table. Assante's wife, Clare Holman, is trying to keep her husband healthy. In pursuit of this unattainable goal, she has dunked a pack of his cigarettes in his morning coffee and has fed him toast with no butter. Her determination, up against Assante's frustration, is supposed to be amusing in a sit-com manner, but the way in which it's directed and played suggests not agape but anger. In fact, nobody ever laughs. Except once or twice, Assante does, but then he laughs at a meeting, after making an unamusing comment, so the affect is inappropriate and he sounds a little schizo.Assante, however, can be a very good actor and he occasionally does more than hit the mark. He's like Al Pacino in "Insomnia" but with a bit more bounce left in the coil. And the locations are good, too, not spectacular, mostly distinguished by their uniform, ghoulish green grubbiness. There's garbage all over the place. Rotting boards and hulks of detritus slap against bridge pilings. If you're going to explode yourself and the killer, as Assante does, this is the place to do it.Man, it's depressing. And it's confusing too. I have no idea how Assante, a cyber "dinosaur", ever managed to figure out the location of the final attempt at murder. And the villainy seems to be pinned arbitrarily on anti-global terrorists, which is a little like blaming war on pacifists. And the script makes the murderer an Indian geek. Give me a good, old-fashioned, self-righteous, well-acted psychopath any day, along the lines of Kevin Spacey in "Seven." There is one good scene. Armand Assante emerging from the Christopher Street subway entrance, but I'm among the very few people for whom this will have resonance.If you like marginalized cops and serial murderers, this may be your cup of tea. But I would guess that just about everyone by now must admit that the pattern is exhausted.
Suffers From Many Things
posted on 26 May 2006Dot.Kill is unfortunately not a very original film. It suffers from taking to many ideas from other films from the past 10 years. It is no surprise as this is just one of many films like this that is simply a product of its time. Of course, if you are into this type of thing you might find some enjoyment as Armand Assante gives a solid performance as usual. But even he couldn't carry the film as a whole on his back.Assante plays a detective named Charlie. Charlie is a sick man who appears to be dying and as a result is heavily addicted to morphine. The story unfolds with a serial killer murdering people through the internet and posting it in real time for millions of people to see. As the case starts to unravel, Charlie becomes sicker and sicker.Basically, this movie is a cross between Seven and Fear.Com and that's not a good thing. There is nothing supernatural about the movie like Fear.Com but the whole thing with posting the murders online is a similar concept. And the relation to Seven is the direction the movie attempts to take. But let's face it, Seven was a hundred times better then this or any other movie that came out in the genre for the past 15 years.I will admit that the first 30 minutes of the movie was a bit intriguing as Assante is a fun actor to watch in just about anything he is in, but, the movie loses its muster halfway through and things become predictable and boring. The ending is rather anticlimactic, I might add.Overall, it wasn't a good movie but it really wasn't a bad movie either. I think the only reason to watch the movie is if you are a Armand Assante fan. 6/10
Dot.crap
posted on 31 Mar 2006Dot.kill, Digital Jesus? Couldn't find this one as it was rented under the title Digital Killer. Many aliases give away it's a B-movie.After many internet related movies, killings through wires, addicted cop-movies there wasn't really any surprise in the story. Armand was acting over the top, I didn't feel any sympathy, rather irritation.How this one got 5 out of 10, rather than number 5 of worst movies is unclear to me. Straight to the sell out bin with this one, don't rent it unless you're not annoyed with quite simple story lines.(spoiling bit) Why does a cop not check for cameras when after every killing he is portrayed at the crime scene on the television? Couldn't these cameras be followed to a destination? Is the cop's son really that stupid, that he doesn't warn his father earlier on?
surprisingly good.....maybe better then good
posted on 10 Sep 2005I say surprisingly because while I think Assante is a good actor, sometimes really impressive like he was in "Gotti", this role may even be called great for him. That sounds patronizing, and I don't mean it that way. I mean I didn't know he could pull off a role like this. There's something tough and soulful going on here. His eccentric angular handsomeness and personality have usually cast him in abstracted demi-god roles. An air of that clings to him and I suppose that's just who he is...but this time he plays a man with a fatal and debilitating disease......and he's older now so this vulnerability is now part of the character. He's never been so human in a role. I'm talking about him because he's virtually the whole movie...he's just all over it. . His boss is a little over the top.....but everyone else seems on target. No special effects...what a relief that is.......It's filmed in shades of grey...there's a consistent visual grimness here.Good acting all around...in Assantes case perhaps the best work he's ever done, definitely the best I've seen him do......an interesting story.....I highly recommend this movie.
Low budget 'Old cop vs Digital criminal' movie
posted on 21 Aug 2005Armand Assante was OK, as usual, even if he looked like a grandfather. The movie itself was a TV quality script, with low budget and a predictable story. I wish there was more to say, but there really isn't.The plot revolves around a cop trying to catch a murderer who kills people live on the Internet. If you watched Criminal Minds you would certainly see the "Angel of Death" pattern and quickly realize who the killer is.Bottom line: do not rent, do not see at cinema, only watch it on TV when you're really tired.
Not bad, but many inconsistencies and logic errors..
posted on 25 Apr 2005It's watchable and sure keeps you attached to it when viewing it. It's a movie which can be seen from two viewpoints:-1- The (dramatical) story of the main character, his live and whats happening to him. -2- Who's doing all the killing, showing it live on the internet and how will they get them or him/her and who's behind this all?However there are many inconsistencies in the story and logic errors. That's ashame, if they weren't there I would rated it an 7 or even 8.They are not all too disturbing if you just continue watching and don't make a big deal about these, but I can imagine some people would be irritated by them. I wasn't cause I just viewed it without too much thinking and all together it's very watchable.OK, no special effects, please see Star Wars 3 or something. OK, no well thought out Drama. OK, no real action.But altogether better than many other movies.....Give it a try if you have the time.
Not a bad movie, give it a go
posted on 11 Jul 2009One movie, different names... Dot.kill, Digital Reaper, Digital Killer here..... pfff seen that before, probably a bad B-movie... Well I was surprised, in a good way. Assante produced this one and I must say, it's not bad at all. I'm not a real fan of Assante, but he does a good job. You can look at it in different ways, finding the bad guy came for me in second place, Assante's struggle was for me more interesting. A movie with 2 stories, if you want to see a good b-movie with a human story to tell watch it. I wasn't bored during the movie and that says something. I've seen better movies but there are a lot worse than this one.