“It is not a straightforward murder mystery. A nice thriller with unpredictable turn of events. Kiefer Sutherland does a great job... refreshing after all the crap with no stories that we have to suffer today...” IMDb
Reviews for the film are generally mixed, focusing on its strong concept but uneven execution:
: Major critiques highlight a "wobbly" script and a third act that some find anticlimactic. Reviewers at Blu-ray.com suggest the direction lacks authority, leading to a "dull study of revenge" despite the interesting setup. Viewer Perspectives subtitle The.Killing.Time.1987.720p.BluRay.x264...
“The ins and outs of the writing have a ton of potential as the story is a decent one, it just wasn't pulled off in a believable way. The Killing Time had a lot more potential on the surface that was never realized.” thoughtsfromthemountaintop.com · 1 year ago Technical Notes for This Version
: Critics from sites like CineDump note its solid noir atmosphere and Sutherland's performance, where he clearly enjoys playing a villainous role. Some viewers on IMDb consider it a "hidden gem" for its unpredictable twists. “It is not a straightforward murder mystery
The story follows a mysterious stranger (Sutherland) who murders a man and steals his identity to take a job as a deputy in a quiet seaside town. Unaware of his true nature, the local sheriff (Bridges) and his mistress (Camelia Kath) plot to kill her husband and frame the "new kid" for the crime. The tension arises when the two amateur conspirators realize they've picked the worst possible person to be their fall guy. Critical Reception
The "720p BluRay x264" release typically refers to the 2020 restoration by Scorpion Releasing, which significantly improved the visual quality over older, murkier home video versions. The Killing Time (1987) #RetroReview - CineDump refreshing after all the crap with no stories
Released in 1987, is a neo-noir thriller that blends a clever "double-cross" premise with the moody atmosphere of a coastal California town. While the script is often cited as shaky, the film is anchored by early-career performances from Kiefer Sutherland and Beau Bridges. Plot Overview