Grade: D | Genre: Suspense Thriller Summary: Just as I did while watching this film, I find myself having to power through to the end of this review like a marathon runner conquering his last uphill run.

The "Suspect Zero" theory suggests that there is one serial killer responsible for the number of unsolved murders that still exist. Every case is different where the victims share little in common, which makes it easier for this sociopath to go on undiscovered. So, how do you find a killer when there is no concrete trail to follow?

On the case is battered FBI Agent, Tom Mackelway (Eckhart), who is in a game of cat and mouse with an elusive killer who appears to know more about the agent than the agent does of the him. Having been demoted from the Dallas office because of a previously fumbled case that still haunts him, he now resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico where he has just stumbled onto "Suspect Zero". Or, has "Suspect Zero" found him?

In the first scene, we meet Harold Speck (Chamberlin), a traveling salesman who has made a stop at a local diner. While enjoying his dinner, a mysterious gentleman named Benjamin O'Ryan (Kingsley) approaches and reveals that he knows secrets about the salesman that no one else could possibly know. He flashes curious scribbles of drawings that pushes hidden buttons in Harold and has him rushing for the door. Harold jumps in his car and safely drives away, or so he thinks. In the rear view mirror, he sees a pair of hands putting on surgical gloves and hear Benjamin politely, but chillingly, asking him to pull over because "[he] wouldn't want to do this at 70 mph." You don't need me to tell you what happens next.

The next day, Agent Tom Mackelway, is given the case and heads off to the crime scene. He discovers the car barely clinging to the edge of a cliff with Harold lying across the front seat with his eyelids sliced open. It's one of a series of clues presented to the Agent signaling that there is something he has yet to see.

Also sent to Albuquergue is Agent Fran Kulok (Moss), a former lover and workmate back in Dallas, who is there to keep an eye on Mackelway. Together both dive head first into a deep mess of shocking images that only the mind of a serial killer could illustrate.

Buy or Rent it for yourself. You should instead try... Se7en Memento Kiss the Girls

Aaron Eckhart, one of the most underrated actors of our time, does Zero for his visibility with this one. He gives a fine performance that could have been better if he didn't have to try so hard to make this film convincing. Ben Kingsley should definitely take on more sadistic roles; however, this was a misstep and a wasted opportunity. As for Carrie Anne Moss, I really don't have much to say because she really didn't give me much to say about. She wasn't utilized enough and just seemed disenchanted now that The Matrix Series has finally wrapped.

Director E. Elias Merhige puts his best foot forward but ultimately lacks the originality that could have set this movie apart instead of having to be compared to better, more accomplished thrillers. Just as I did while watching this film, I find myself having to power through to the end of this review like a marathon runner conquering his last uphill mile. My efforts, it seems, will not be as rewarding and am I'm left totally unfulfilled. If I were you, I'd move pass this one and move down the "The Release" wall for something more inspired.

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