American Murderer

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1:42

American Murderer

R

2022

1h 44m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

75%

Tomatometer

40 Reviews

74%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

Based on a true story, this riveting thriller follows Jason Derek Brown (Tom Pelphrey), a charismatic con man bankrolling his extravagant lifestyle through a series of scams. On Brown's trail: Lance Leising (Ryan Phillippe), a dogged FBI special agent determined to put Brown behind bars. When Brown's funds run low and his past catches up with him, he plots his most elaborate scheme yet, pitting himself against Leising in a deadly game of cat and mouse -- and becoming the most unlikely and elusive fugitive on the FBI's most-wanted list.

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Critics Consensus

Tom Pelphrey kills it as the American Murderer, delivering standard true crime goods to fans of the genre.

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Nicholas Bell

Fish Jelly Films (YouTube)

07/27/2023

3/5

A melancholic character study in the vein of Ryan Murphy’s stable of anti-heroes, those whose unstable natures are actually nurtured and sustained by the ambivalence and callousness of others.

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Marshall Shaffer

Decider

06/06/2023

American Murderer doesn’t exactly kill it.

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Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

03/03/2023

FOUR STARS

Here is a workmanlike true crime thriller to break out the popcorn for all your entertainment needs.

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James Croot

The Post NZ

03/02/2023

3.5/5

A fascinating primer on one of America’s rare, understated 21st century true-crime mysteries.

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Christopher Llewellyn Reed

Film Festival Today

03/02/2023

3/4

The man may be missing, but his riddle gets its compelling origin story right here.

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Peter Gray

The AU Review

03/02/2023

3/5

The fact that this film’s ending is so open due to the real-life circumstances lends an eeriness to proceedings that so few true crime stories adhere to.

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Rob A

@RT76386004 Dec 29

The lead actor was terrific and this true crime saga was gripping.

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Walter H

@RT89778475 Nov 28

Great exploration of a narcissist and a sociopath, an evil soul and the movie don’t justify him just shows him as what he was. Interesting

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Abbe H

@RT89628336 Nov 27

my fav true crime movie ever, so good!! love Ryan Phillippe in anything.

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Tina A

@RT26531131 Nov 27

A gem of a movie! Tom Pelphrey should be more famous, he was amazing. Loved seeing my girl Idina in this kind of role (OG Wicked fan here!).

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Francesco A

@RT74033201 Nov 26

Beautiful film -- acting was incredible especially Tom Pelphrey who's so good on TASK which is what led me to this. I thought the cinematography was excellent, I loved the darkness of it...reminded me of Fincher in the 90s. Caught it on Hulu, almost didn't watch it because I thought it was an action movie. Was pleasantly surprised.

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James R

@RT49619772 Nov 26

One of the most over rated, poorly acted, paced and edited crime drama movies I've seen in decades! Anyone with basic common 'movie sense' would have to agree that this so-called "underrated" movie would barely be watchable on a PBS TV channel late at night, let alone be an acceptable choice to watch in a Cinema theater at $20 a pop!! OUCH!!!

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Matthew Gentile

Director

Tom Pelphrey

Jason Derek Brown

Ryan Phillippe

Special Agent Lance Leising

Idina Menzel

Melanie

Jacki Weaver

Jeanne

Paul Schneider

David Brown

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American Murderer: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Based on a true story, this riveting thriller follows Jason Derek Brown (Tom Pelphrey), a charismatic con man bankrolling his extravagant lifestyle through a series of scams. On Brown's trail: Lance Leising (Ryan Phillippe), a dogged FBI special agent determined to put Brown behind bars. When Brown's funds run low and his past catches up with him, he plots his most elaborate scheme yet, pitting himself against Leising in a deadly game of cat and mouse -- and becoming the most unlikely and elusive fugitive on the FBI's most-wanted list.

Director: Matthew Gentile
Producer: Kara Baker, Carissa Buffel, Kevin Matusow, Gia Walsh
Screenwriter: Matthew Gentile
Distributor: Saban Films
Production Co: Traveling Picture Show Company (TPSC), Universal Pictures, Productivity Media, Gigi Films
Rating: R (Pervasive Language|Drug Use|Some Sexual Content/Nudity|Violence)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 21, 2022, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 28, 2022
Runtime: 1h 44m

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