Jack’s Back (1988)
Okay look, not to be Charlie Day explaining the mail but Manhunter and Jack’s Back is an inspired double bill. A justice-seeking loner uses his near-supernatural empathy to catch a serial killer with delusions of grandeur? You’re telling me these aren’t the same movie? Rowdy Herrington’s crime/horror/thriller tells of a young, idealistic doctor in Los Angeles (James Spader) who becomes a suspect in a grisly string of killings that appear to mimic the crimes of Jack the Ripper. When (SPOILER) the doctor is himself murdered, his identical twin brother (also Spader) begins to experience residual visions of his twin’s death, including glimpses of the true killer. More whacky and giallo-indebted than it has any right to be, Jack’s Back is a bonkers, twisty ride that deserves a lot more love. Maybe if Scotland Yard had James Spader with a hoop earring they could have caught Jack the Ripper, just saying.
Available on Hoopla, Tubi, Pluto TV, Shout TV.
Cape Fear (1991)
Generally speaking, you’d be hard-pressed to find cinematic criminals more deranged than those in Manhunter. But that’s only until you meet Max Cady. Now, don’t get us wrong — we love Robert Mitchum and we do recommend checking out 1962’s Cape Fear. But when it comes to films that can stack up with Manhunter, Martin Scorsese’s 1991 adaptation of the story is the way to go. Robert De Niro’s take on the character isn’t just unsettling and uncomfortable, it’s downright terrifying. When Cady is released from prison after serving 14 years for rape, he sets his sights on the public defender (Nick Nolte) who failed to keep him from prison. This bold film is as menacing and as mean as can be. But of course, that’s why we can’t get enough of it.
Available to stream on Starz.
Fear (1996)
If your only experience with Chicago’s finest is Manhunter you’d be forgiven for associating William Petersen with Will Graham’s haunted, sensitive demeanor. But, such is the duality of man: the great W.P. has another (what’s the word?) chaotic side. And while Petersen’s capacity to be absolutely full of beans has been widely celebrated elsewhere (see: To Live and Die in L.A.) we’re here to provide you with a deeper, and indeed more bananas, cut: a quintessential entry in the “erotic thrillers for teens” subgenre, Fear sees Petersen as the protective, punch-first-questions-later father of the 16-year old Nicole (Reese Witherspoon) who falls hard for an unhinged bad boy with a penchant for violence (Mark Wahlberg). So if you were curious what it’d look like if Will Graham used high octane dad instincts instead of empathy-powered imagination to catch killers, you must give Fear a watch. There’s a transcendent terrycloth bathrobe in it for you. Nicole 4Eva.
Available on HBO Max, HBO Now Amazon Channel, HBO Now, DirecTV.
Insomnia (2002)
Christopher Nolan, a film dork who wears his heroes on his sleeve, will be the first to tell you he owes a huge debt to Michael Mann. And while the most cited connective tissue likely resides between the former’s The Dark Knight and the latter’s Heat, we are here to respectfully advocate for another family resemblance. Like Manhunter, Nolan’s third feature concerns a haunted lawman, frayed at the edges but laser-focused, in pursuit of a methodical killer. Detective Will Dormer (Al Pacino) has been dispatched to a northern Alaskan town drenched in the eternal glow of 24/7 sunlight. Sleep-deprived, and plagued by old wounds, Dormer sparks the ire and interest of the very man he’s been tasked with hunting down (Robin Williams). Zeroed in on the uncomfortable gray area of morally compromised cops convinced they are doing the right thing, Insomnia is a love letter to Mann (and to the sweet release of a good night’s sleep).
Available on HBO Max, HBO Now Amazon Channel, HBO Now, DirecTV.
Memories of Murder (2003)
In addition to being a great recommendation for fans of Manhunter, Memories of Murder is a great recommendation for fans of David Fincher’s Zodiac. Well, it’s also a great recommendation for fans of film in general, but let’s talk specifics. Bong Joon-ho’s 2003 film follows the investigation of unprecedented and heinous crimes in South Korea. The film’s emphasis on process is the work of a director in firm command of his craft. And with an ending that will leave even seasoned horror movie veterans reeling, this audacious film is positively unforgettable.
Available to stream on Hulu.
The Empty Man (2020)
Pulling inspiration from a wide variety of sub-genres — including folk horror, slashers, and, of course, the investigative thriller — David Prior‘s The Empty Man isn’t like any other contemporary horror movie. Following a cop who uncovers some supernatural rumblings while searching for a missing girl, the film delivers some genuinely terrifying moments and twists that you will never see coming. Much like the innovative and wholly original Manhunter, The Empty Man did find success right away. Shot in 2017, The Empty Man was unceremoniously dumped into release last year with little-to-no promotion and barely any critical fanfare. But then word began to spread among genre fans over several months and the film found an audience, one that celebrates its ambition and philosophically bold take on horror. Though still very recent, The Empty Man is a rare example of a modern film with a claim to actual cult status. And much like Manhunter, it couldn’t be more deserving of reclamation.
Available on HBO Max.
Related Topics: Beat The Algorithm, Michael Mann
