Ed Kemper

 

Based on the chilling true story of American serial killer Edmund Kemper, this film explores the disconcerting journey of a man who began his killing spree at just 15 years old. After murdering both his grandparents, Kemper was institutionalised, only to be released years later when he was deemed rehabilitated. What followed was a string of brutal murders, including that of his mother, before Kemper ultimately turned himself in, declaring he was “done.”

I had been anticipating this film for what felt like forever. Now, I know it’s not exactly socially acceptable to claim a “favourite” serial killer, probably not the best phrasing - but let’s say Kemper is the one whose case I find most disturbing, intriguing, and psychologically complex.

After Mindhunter and Cameron Britton’s unforgettable portrayal of Kemper, I was sceptical that anyone else could bring the same eerie gravitas to the role. Enter Brandon Kirk. While he doesn’t quite reach Britton’s chilling heights, Kirk brings a unique and unsettling presence to the character, crafting his dark interpretation, and I wasn’t disappointed.

Directed by Chad Ferrin, Ed Kemper takes a gritty, unflinching look at the life and crimes of the “Co-Ed Killer.” In many ways, it echoes the brutal honesty of Matthew Bright’s Ted Bundy (2002), which didn’t shy away from showing the raw horror behind the man. Similarly, Ferrin doesn’t sugarcoat Kemper’s atrocities, yet he also carefully weaves in the psychological damage inflicted by Kemper’s mother, Clarnell Strandberg, portrayed with venomous intensity by Susan Priver.

This film forces you to pause and reflect, because the horror isn’t fiction. Every act of violence, every disturbing detail, is pulled from real-life events. It’s not exploitative, but it also refuses to sanitise the truth. And while it might make you question how the families of victims endure these retellings, it also stands as a stark reminder: we cannot forget these histories.

Kirk anchors the film with a simmering intensity. You feel his unravelling, his rage, his twisted logic. His performance captures the monstrous duality of Kemper, the seemingly intelligent, calm man masking something far more terrifying. While the supporting cast doesn’t always match his energy, it doesn’t detract from the film’s overall impact.

Final Verdict:
If you’re fascinated by true crime and want a raw, uncompromising look at one of America’s most disturbing killers, Ed Kemper is worth watching. It doesn’t hold your hand or soften the blows, it stares straight into the abyss. If you're hoping for a glossy, stylised take like the disappointing Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, this isn’t it. But if you want a film that respects the gravity of its subject while pulling no punches, this one hits hard and lingers.

 

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