Citizen X

TV-14

1995

1h 43m

Drama

List

86%

Tomatometer

7 Reviews

86%

Audience Score

2,500+ Ratings

In the 1980s, serial killer Andrei Chikatilo (Jeffrey DeMunn) embarks on an eight-year killing spree, murdering 52 people. Lt. Viktor Burakov (Stephen Rea) wants to put a stop to the killings, but the Soviet bureaucracy obstructs him at every turn, insisting a Communist Party member could not be the killer. Burakov is determined to catch Chikatilo, aided only by his cynical superior (Donald Sutherland) and a frightened but determined psychiatrist (Max von Sydow) in this true story.

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C.H. Newell

Scriptophobic

A film like Citizen X works to make the killing and the gruesome details of serial murder the least entertaining element of its story and plot.

May 30, 2019

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Based on the true story of a Russian serial killer.

Rated: B

Nov 6, 2010

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Jul 19, 2005

Full Review

Dragan Antulov

rec.arts.movies.reviews

Rated: 7/10

Jan 31, 2003

Full Review

Nicolas Lacroix

Showbizz.net

Rated: 5/5

Nov 16, 2002

Full Review

Philip Martin

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Rated: 3/5

Jul 30, 2002

Full Review

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Ally Moore J

Sure do like movies where the title is mentioned inside, those are some of the best ones ever!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/19/23

Full Review

Farah R

Solid performances elevate this biopic despite its humble budget. The actors play their roles with credibility and sincerity, making their characters' actions and emotions feel realistic and resonant. The fact-based story is aptly told with all the disturbing details while maintaining the utmost sensitivity. It's hard to believe Citizen X is a VOD production because it's made with more effort and attention than some theatrical releases.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/25/23

Full Review

Steve D

A bit slow but it works ok.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The greatest 01 hour: and 43 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

david l

Citizen X is one of the best television movies of all time and one of the most underrated crime films that deserves much more attention than it received. Focusing on the real life story of a disturbing serial killer in 1980s Soviet Union, the film is definitely very creepy in the murder scenes, but the screenplay elevates the material by actually focusing more on the satire than the crime elements. By pinpointing the many ridiculous bureaucratic obstacles that these detectives faced, the movie is both comedic and tragic in its depiction of the Communist regime's many constrains and how they worked against instead of for the people. Stephen Rea was great in the main role while Donald Sutherland has never been better and funnier. Their dynamic gave the film a lot of heart. This flick truly is an underseen gem.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

william d

Although it has a "made for TV" look and feel to it, this is a very good film. Stephen Rea is very good, Donald Sutherland is superb as the detached, bureaucratic KGB officer.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Chris Gerolmo

Director

Stephen Rea

Lt. Viktor Burakov

Donald Sutherland

Col. Mikhail Fetisov

Max von Sydow

Dr. Alexandr Bukhanovsky

Jeffrey DeMunn

Andrei Chikatilo

John Wood

John Wood

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Synopsis

In the 1980s, serial killer Andrei Chikatilo (Jeffrey DeMunn) embarks on an eight-year killing spree, murdering 52 people. Lt. Viktor Burakov (Stephen Rea) wants to put a stop to the killings, but the Soviet bureaucracy obstructs him at every turn, insisting a Communist Party member could not be the killer. Burakov is determined to catch Chikatilo, aided only by his cynical superior (Donald Sutherland) and a frightened but determined psychiatrist (Max von Sydow) in this true story.

Director: Chris Gerolmo
Screenwriter: Chris Gerolmo
Production Co: HBO Films
Rating: TV-14, R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): May 20, 2014
Runtime: 1h 43m

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