Donald Sutherland, Jeffrey DeMunn, Joss Ackland

Flixster Users

87% liked it

793 ratings

Critics

86% liked it

7 critics

R, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Chris Gerolmo

Release Date: December 31, 1995

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: July 11, 2000

Stats: 191 reviews

Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Photos


None yet... Got one?

Your Rating



clear rating

Flixster Reviews (191)


  • August 19, 2009
    well done hbo film based on the case of ukrainian serial killer andrei chikatilo, convicted of killing 52 women and children. good cast including donald sutherland and max von sydow. stephen rea plays the investigator who followed the case for seven years despite much interfere...( read more)nce from soviet bureaucracy. patchy russian accents but very factual
  • July 22, 2008
    Highly recommended American made-for-tv movie, about the investigations that led to the capture of the Ukrainian serial killer Andrei Chikatilo, alias The Butcher of Rostov, who killed 52 victims between 1978 and 1990. The main value of this movie is that it manages to be involv...( read more)ing without "spectacularizing" the murders, thanks to an accurate screenplay, very close to the real events, the Chikatilo's psychology and the ineffective Soviet police methods, hampered by authorities and incompetence.
  • July 13, 2008
    Despite this film being a true story and an horific tale, the actual film isn't one to hold your attention too well. A likeable part by Donald Sutherland (I guess you would need to be Russian to say whether the cast managed to pull the accents off well).
  • March 26, 2008
    Interesting look at a true story of a manhunt for real-life serial killer Andrei Chikatilo in a communist state.
    The problem was long ignored by officials citing "Serial Killing" as an epidemic that could only happen in western civilization.

    Oh, yeah...Stephen Rea, Donald S...( read more)utherland and Emperor Ming von Sydow are awesome.
  • December 1, 2007
    A good visual and conceptual display of one of the most fascinating characters of the 20th century, Andrej Chikatilo.
    Apart from portraying actual events related to the life of a serial killer in an accurate and faithful way, it also enhances a better understanding of the Russia...( read more)n reality back in those days: their national pride and conservatory manner of dealing with some specific situations was, sometimes, their biggest enemy. This was no exception, as it was a completely new type of criminal whom they clearly lacked the knowledge to deal with.

    Another good thing about this movie is the atmosphere. Raw, simple and grey. As it always should be portraying similar characters. No Hollywood here. If you want that, go shove a copy of Fantastic Four: The Rise of the Silver Surfer up your ass (though I've heard that inserting it into a dvd player also works).

    The actors are well chosen overall, as pretty much all of them do a good job. Though there's one exception. And this is, in my opinion, the biggest downside of the movie. Chikatilo should've been played by an actor other than Jeffrey DeMunn. It's not like he did a bad job per se. And we do get used to him at some point. But a character like the Rostov Ripper should've been portrayed holding much more charisma and attitude than what this movie shows us.
    Though this clearly isn't enough to stain beyond solution the final outcome of Citizen X.

    Those familiar with Chikatilo's accurate history will probably appreciate it, even though it's not a completely accurate storytelling, here and there.
  • November 9, 2008
    Review will be written when/if re-watched (Probability: High).

    First viewing: 12.06.2002
  • October 28, 2008
    Really excellent thriller, based on a true story. Nothing flashy, just good acting and a solid script.
  • October 23, 2008
    based on the infamous serial killings in the sovite union during the 1980's. with a very good story and two very good performances from stephen rea and the always watchable donald sutherland will keep you on the egde of your seats.
  • October 13, 2008
    Low budget and without any flashy whizbang, but that really works for it. A stark, unflinching look at a killer and the men who hunt him.
  • September 8, 2008
    movie made for tv but actually not bad

Critic Reviews


Comments


  • ennjigmet
    April 1, 2008
    i have seen this movie 4 years back and since then i am trying to watch it again but never got the chance. I would say watch it once and i am sure you will be recommending others accordingly. Worth watching, one of my favorites..........
  • Megggyy
    March 13, 2008
    Does anyone recommend this movie for me?
    please message me, I need to know just how great it is.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Official Trailer

More Like This


This list looks lonely.
Add a suggestion!

Theater Showtimes & TV Listings


Citizen X Trivia


  • In the movie "Citizen X" Donald Southerland plays a Government official trying to catch which serial killer:  Answer »
  • what movie is base on the life of the russian serial killer Andrei chikatilo?  Answer »
  • This actor appears in "Citizen X" and also in the Pet Shop Boys' video "Always on my mind". Who is he?  Answer »
  • Which Interview with the Vampire actor starred as a troubled detective investigating child murders in true-life film Citizen X?  Answer »

Video Clips


No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Recent News


No recent headlines. Got one?

Most Popular Skin


No skins yet. Interested in creating one?