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Messenger of Death

Messenger of Death

Action · Crime · Thriller · 1988

A Denver reporter investigates the mass murder of a family of Mormons in rural Colorado.

Movie details

Messenger of Death

“What the cops can't do, he will.”

1988 Action · Crime · Thriller 1h 31m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.1 / 10

Community rating

A Denver reporter investigates the mass murder of a family of Mormons in rural Colorado.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Messenger of Death?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

J. Lee Thompson

Written by

Paul Jarrico

Charles Bronson

Charles Bronson

Garret Smith

Trish Van Devere

Trish Van Devere

Jastra Watson

Laurence Luckinbill

Laurence Luckinbill

Homer Foxx

Daniel Benzali

Daniel Benzali

Barney Doyle

Marilyn Hassett

Marilyn Hassett

Josephine Fabrizio

Charles Dierkop

Charles Dierkop

Orville Beecham

Jeff Corey

Jeff Corey

Willis Beecham

Court is in session

Put Messenger of Death on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Adrenaline Seeker

“Momentum is a formal choice.”

The velocity sharpens instinct and tension, making every beat land before self-importance can settle in.

The prosecution The Auteur Devotee

“Speed as an alibi.”

The film races past its weak spots and hopes acceleration will keep the audience from inspecting the evidence.