Reviews: The Postcard Killings (2020) Movie Review
Genres: Thriller, Drama, Mystery, Crime
Subgenres:
Exploring The Postcard Killings (2020) through our review, we cover its story, scares, and how it fits into the broader horror genre landscape.
The Postcard Killings follows Jacob Kanon (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), a grief-stricken detective whose daughter is murdered while on her honeymoon in Europe. As he investigates, he discovers a string of gruesome killings across multiple countries, each accompanied by a mysterious postcard sent to a journalist before the crime occurs. Teaming up with European reporters and law enforcement, Jacob races to uncover the twisted mind behind these brutal murders.
The Postcard Killings (2020) – A Crime Thriller That Misses the Mark
Plot, Themes, and Character Development
At its core, the film attempts to blend a psychological thriller with a detective mystery, but it struggles to make a lasting impact. The themes of grief, revenge, and the psychology of serial killers are present but lack the depth needed to resonate. Jacob’s character is the most developed, driven by pain and determination, yet the supporting cast—particularly the villains—lack the same complexity.
Acting and Cinematography
Jeffrey Dean Morgan delivers a committed performance, portraying a father’s anguish with conviction. His presence elevates the film, but even his efforts can’t fully save the uninspired script. Famke Janssen appears in a minor role as Jacob’s ex-wife, though her screen time is limited. The antagonists, while sinister, fail to be as compelling as the film wants them to be.
Visually, The Postcard Killings uses a bleak and moody color palette that fits the dark narrative. European cityscapes are well-shot, adding an international flair to the film, but the cinematography does little to enhance the tension. The crime scenes are unsettling yet never quite as chilling as other films in the genre.
Directing Style, Strengths, and Weaknesses
Directed by Danis Tanović (No Man’s Land), the film has a steady pace but lacks the suspense necessary for a gripping thriller. The premise is intriguing, yet the execution is predictable, with key plot twists feeling rushed or underwhelming. The film also struggles with tonal inconsistency, sometimes playing out like a generic police procedural rather than a high-stakes murder mystery.
Final Verdict & Score: 5/10
While The Postcard Killings has an engaging premise and a strong lead performance from Jeffrey Dean Morgan, it ultimately falls short due to its underwhelming villains, lack of suspense, and weak script. It’s a watchable crime thriller, but for fans of serial killer mysteries, there are far better options available.
Sources Used to Shape This Review
Insights in this review are drawn from director interviews, fan commentary, production notes, and long-form breakdowns across genre-specific platforms. Content is written uniquely and reviewed for accuracy.
- The Postcard Killings Rating Scores
- Our Score: 5/10
- Overall Score: 4.11/10
- IMDB: 5.8/10
- MetaCritic: 2.9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 2.2/10
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