This Belgian film is shot in black and white. It has the look and feel of a 1960s movie, except the film crews hair and clothing are obviously not of that era. The movie is very well shot and some of the locations have great character.
Serial killer Ben likes playing classical music, discussing architecture styles, going to art shows, and imparting his wisdom on the correct ways to murder and hide his victims bodies. He is a cruel and calculating killer, but can also be quite charming as he talks at length about numerous topics while he wines and dines the film crew to celebrate the days successes, i.e. his crimes.
The film crew are passive observers, which is difficult to comprehend since the killings are so violent right out of the gate. The death scenes are graphic and disturbing, and the first death is particularly hard to watch as it comes near the beginning of the film and is unexpected.
As the film goes on, the crew go from being bystanders and accomplices to participating in a horrendous rape and murdering multiple people, including a child. Ben's brutality has become normal to them. Then you realize that you, as the viewer, have become desensitized to the violence on the screen when you're jolted out of your complacency as the film crew joins in on the attacks. The graphic nature of the crimes becomes horrifying again.
The film was shot when the writers/actors were in film school and was conceived as a way to make a movie with no money. This is the type of film that shows that having no money is no excuse for a film being poorly done. This film looks fantastic. The reoccurring death of sound men was amusing, and the last scene is a fitting end to the film. This is disturbing movie that stays with you.
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