Ed Kemper (2025) Film Review – Effortlessly Compelling

Posted on by Jim Cox

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Ed Kemper is a 2025 biographical crime thriller, written and directed by Chad Ferrin with additional writing from Stephen Johnston. No stranger to the genre, Chad is notable as the writer and director of the Lovecraftian horror films Unspeakable: Beyond the Wall of Sleep (2024), H.P. Lovecraft’s The Old Ones (2023), and The Deep Ones (2020), as well as the biographical crime thriller based on Canadian serial killer Robert William “Willy” Pickton, Pig Killer (2022).

Based on the actual events of notorious American serial killer Edmund Kemper, who murdered his grandparents at age 15 and, after being paroled for that crime, killed eight women in 1972 and 1973 including his mother.

Delving head-first into the age of the infamous serial killer, Ed Kemper is a fairly faithful recreation of California in the 1970s. By recreating the era with period-accurate fashion, vehicles, and set design, the film certainly attains an undeniable pragmatism that immerses the audience in this epoch.

While the film mostly adheres to a biographical depiction of these real-life events, there is the odd creative liberty taken at times–for instance, the manifestation of the devil to a young Edward. Despite this slight inclusion, Ed Kemper delivers a highly authentic portrayal of the crimes committed throughout 72-73. The locations, victims, and how they were murdered are well-researched and presented eerily similar to the actual crimes. Additionally, the film similarly explores the killer’s history–delving into the deep-rooted abuse suffered as a young child. Though its inclusion doesn’t try to rationalise the malicious acts perpetrated by the killer and is there for a more comprehensive retelling of the life of Edward.

One of the standout elements of the film, the distinct visual style draws the audience into Edward’s deranged and twisted world effortlessly. While the film switches between ‘present’ time and the past, desaturation denotes this retrospection comprehensibly. Additionally, the blend of establishing shots, as well as wide angles, and obscuring close-ups of the brutal savagery of his murders, the cinematography is overtly sleek and some of the best visuals displayed in Chad’s work.

Supplementing this graphic depiction of violence is an effective use of special effects. While most of the actual murders are somewhat obscured from the audience, the prelude and bloody aftermath leave little to the imagination. The depiction of rape and necrophilia is intensely graphic. Much like the real crimes committed by Edward, a lot of the interactions between the killer and his victims are based on power–and this is displayed in great detail through this uncomfortable portrayal. Additionally, the results of these murders are vividly presented with mutilated body parts and copious amounts of blood–relaying the true savagery displayed by a deeply disturbed individual.

 

Including familiar faces from director Chad’s previous films, such as Susan Priver and Robert Miano, Ed Kemper features a solid cast with some fantastic performances. However, Brandon Kirk’s portrayal of the titular killer steals the show. Kirk delivers a haunting performance, balancing Edward’s chilling brutality with moments of vulnerability. His ability to capture both the killer’s intelligence and violent rage makes for a compelling yet disturbing lead performance.

An unbridled exploration of a broken mind, Ed Kemper is an unnerving and well-crafted portrayal of one of America’s most infamous serial killers. With a deeply engaging narrative, fantastic performances, and slick cinematography, the film does an impeccable job of drawing the audience into the warped world of Edwards’s damaged psyche and is sure to entice and enrapture fans of true crime thrillers and horror fans alike.

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Ed Kemper (2025) Director’s Cut will premiere at this year’s A Night of Horror Film Festival on March 4th. An R-rated version will be available in April

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