Title: Texas Killing Fields

Starring: Sam Worthington (‘Avator,’ ‘Clash of the Titans’), Jeffrey Dean Morgan (‘Watchmen,’ TV’s ‘Supernatural’), Chloe Grace Moretz (‘Kick-Ass,’ ‘Let Me In’)

The success of many action-thriller films heavily relies on the visuals and stunts to entice and engage audience interest. But the new Anchor Bay Films release ‘The Texas Killing Fields,’ which was inspired by real murders in the oil refineries of the southeastern section of the state and based on the novel of the same name, instead focuses on the actors’ chemistry and the characters’ reactions to the killer. First-time feature film director Ami Canaan Mann surprisingly succeeds in telling the tale of the detectives investigating the case instead of the victims.

‘The Texas Killing Fields’ follows League City homicide detective Jake Souder (played by Sam Worthington) and his partner, New York City officer Brian Heigh, (portrayed by Jeffrey Dean Morgan) who was transferred to help track a sadistic serial killer. The perpetrator became known for dumping his victims’ bodies in a nearby marsh called “The Killing Fields.” As Jake and Brian become familiar with the killer’s patterns, the suspect changes his routine and begins hunting the two detectives. The two become even more determined to catch the killer when he kidnaps a local girl, Little Annie Sliger (played by Chloe Grace Moretz), who Brian has come to care about after protecting her from her negligent mother.

The main driving force in the crime thriller is the relationship between Jake and Brian, as the two take completely different approaches to their work. Screenwriter Don Ferrarone, who penned ‘The Texas Killing Fields,’ perfectly create two two completely different, but equally complex, interesting characters who both immediately pull the audience into the story. Brian, a religious family man, is determined to always help people and help solve cases, even if they’re out of his jurisdiction. Jake, meanwhile, just wants to follow the rules and not get in trouble with his superiors.

Morgan and Worthington were perfectly cast in their respective roles. Morgan emotionally connected to Brian and showed that after years of brutal police work, detectives can still be determined to help victims they don’t even known. He also had a great chemistry with Worthington; much like their respective characters, Morgan takes a more laid-back but ever-determined approach to his work, while Worthington is more aggressive. The two balance each other’s emotions, creating intense and passionate exchanges while they’re still able to obtain leads on the killer’s identity.

Despite ‘The Texas Killing Fields’ grim subject matter, Mann’s rightful decision to focus on the impact the murders have on the characters instead of on the gruesome killings themselves also makes the Anchor Bay Films release unique. Many thrillers try to shock their audiences with gruesome killings and visual effects; however, ‘The Texas Killing Fields’ is memorable for the fact that Mann approaches the story with an emphasis on how the killer affects not only the detectives investing the case, but the town as a whole. Not only are audiences sure to remember Mike and Jake’s intense working relationship, but also the town’s fear that they may be the killer’s next victim.

For her feature film directorial debut, Mann, the daughter of acclaimed action-thriller filmmaker Michael Mann, effectively brought the true story of the killing field murders to the big screen. Not only did Morgan and Worthington, the two lead characters in the film, have a realistic, intense relationship, the audience will surely be more affected by the characters’ emotions than the actual killings.

Technical: B

Written by: Karen Benardello