Ed Kemper is one of America’s worst serial killers. As a child, Kemper murdered his grandparents and was sent to a psychiatric hospital to receive treatment. He was later released and given a clean bill of mental health. However, in an 11 month span in the early 70s, Kemper killed 8 more women. These victims were primarily college aged women but also included his mother and her best friend.
We have always been fascinated by serial killers and their morbid actions. Some part of us wants to understand how they think and why they perform these vicious actions. Dread’s new film, Ed Kemper, attempts to answer some of these questions with middling results.
Overall, Dread’s Ed Kemper film is a very good suspense thriller. It keeps a good tempo and keeps the viewer engaged throughout the film. Brandon Kirk (Of the Son) does a fantastic job of representing the deranged killer. It is very easy to view him as our mild mannered murderer. The supporting cast also provides wonderful performances that help the viewer become immersed in the film.
As with any serial killer film, the main focus is on the murderer and his victims. These scenes are graphic, brutal, and create a real emotional impact on the viewer. However, little detail is given to these poor women. They are treated as little more than scene dressing instead of actual people they were. This decision takes away from the real world impact Kemper had on the lives of his victims.
The film also features the inclusion of a mythical creature that feels disjointed in the film. It is never clear whether the creature is meant to symbolize Kemper’s murderous tendencies or is a manifestation of the abuse delivered by his mother. These scenes pull the viewer out of the film as they contemplate what it is supposed to mean.
However, Ed Kemper is still an enjoyable watch and provides a wealth of information for true crime fans. The film marks the first entry in Dread’s new series of true crime entries. Ed Kemper will be released in select theaters on April 4th, 2025. The film will then be released for Video on Demand services starting April 8th, 2025.