Killer Instinct: From the Files of Agent Candice DeLong (2003) Jean Smart, A Martinez, Robert Joy, Peter MacNeill Movie Review

Killer Instinct: From the Files of Agent Candice DeLong (2003)   2/52/52/52/52/5


Jean Smart in Killer Instinct: From the Files of Agent Candice DeLong (2003)

Lacking Smart Instinct

After catching a child abuser at the train station Candice DeLong (Jean Smart) really struggles with the abuse she witnesses as well as all the other crimes and decides to resign from the FBI right in the middle of a serial killer case. But the serial killer on discovering that Candice has resigned targets her friend in order to draw her back into the case. And on demanding back on the case Candice believes that she is now the target of the serial killer.

"Killer Instinct" starts at a train station, a shifty looking man sees some guy in shades and runs, he runs straight into the leather jacket wearing Candice DeLong, played by Jean Smart, who knocks him to the ground and says "F B friggin' I" and then a few minutes later after being called a pig "That's Miss Federal Pig to you". Yes "Killer Instinct: From the Files of Agent Candice DeLong", to give it it's full title, has a ridiculous opening. In fact that opening borders on the so bad it's good and those are not the only ridiculous scenes as "Killer Instinct" is peppered with over the top scenes from Candice taking a child to school and flashing her badge to sexual innuendo when it comes to the bedroom. And sadly it is these simply daft scenes which end up being the most memorable thing about "Killer Instinct" which is in fact a serial killer movie.

A Martinez in Killer Instinct: From the Files of Agent Candice DeLong (2003)

Evidently "Killer Instinct" is based on the real-life story of FBI profiler Candice DeLong but you wouldn't believe it as this is a movie which feels like nothing more than a collection of cliches. We have the cliche of Candice being a tough agent but in her dedication to work has a failed marriage and a strained relationship with her kid. There is also the cliche that she is sleeping with her FBI partner which is a complex situation as he is still married but supposedly getting a divorce. And then we have the biggest cliche of all that the serial killer is targeting her and starts calling her. Basically everything about "Killer Instinct" is familiar and certainly no better than any other movie which sees a cop or an agent being targeted by the killer they are after.

But as I pointed out at the start there are a lot of scenes which are ridiculously over the top. It is the ridiculousness, the so bad it is amusing moments which make "Killer Instinct" entertaining and in a way I wish there was more because when it isn't being ridiculous it is just ordinary and boring.

What this all boils down to is that if you want an exciting serial killer drama stay clear of "Killer Instinct" as it is too cliche but if you enjoy movies which are entertaining for being bad then it might amuse you.


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