Khamla Savathphoune, known for Escape Room (2019) and Grey Area (2019), makes his feature-length debut with The North Side Killer, a micro-budget thriller that blends urban tension with an intimate character-driven narrative. Clocking in at just under an hour and seventeen minutes, the film tackles heavy themes of fear, isolation, and the fragility of human connection, all against the backdrop of a killer terrorizing the north side campus and targeting vulnerable homeless drug users.
The story follows Ted (Dale Fanella), a self-proclaimed ladies' man and mail carrier, and Sally (Tilcara Webb), a barista of some sort navigating a new relationship amidst escalating fear and paranoia. While Ted’s charm doesn’t land with everyone—especially Sally’s circle of friends—their dynamic provides a decent emotional core for the narrative. Dale Fanella delivers a serviceable performance, but Tilcara Webb's portrayal of Sally brings much-needed sincerity to their scenes.
Aden Bickler, however, steals the show as Bob, Ted’s awkward and emotionally fragile roommate. Struggling with grief and jealousy, Bob’s character arc feels the most fleshed out, and Bickler delivers every line with authenticity and nuance. His scenes, especially those shared with Brandon Etheridge (the killer), are the film’s most compelling moments.
Brandon Etheridge as the titular killer brings a sinister edge to his scenes, though his performance is often overshadowed by Bickler’s presence. Heather Bohan plays Chloe, Sally's co-worker and friend, who is caught in a toxic relationship and serves as a voice of reason in a cast of flawed characters.
The film opens with an oddly placed and context-free sex scene, which transitions abruptly into the title card. This sets an uneven tone that the film struggles to shake off in its early moments. Pacing issues and disjointed editing plague several key scenes, and the excessive use of stock footage for establishing shots often clashes with the film’s intended atmosphere. Additionally, the sound design varies in quality, with dialogue sometimes muffled or unevenly mixed.
Despite these technical shortcomings, The North Side Killer manages to shine in its quieter moments. The cinematography occasionally captures the charm of Chicago, reminding viewers of the city’s timeless beauty even amidst chaos. The climax and final act are surprisingly engaging, delivering an effective twist that feels fitting for the story—even if it lacks a direct emotional connection to the core cast.
The death scenes are serviceable for a micro-budget project, though they lack polish, and some moments (like an overly long discussion about bear spray) could have benefited from tighter editing.
At its best, The North Side Killer feels like a low-budget Criminal Minds episode with an indie flair. At its worst, it’s hampered by technical inconsistencies and pacing missteps. Yet, there’s undeniable potential here. Savathphoune has a sharp eye for atmosphere and character-driven tension, and with a stronger editorial hand and a refined script, his next project could truly stand out.
For fans of indie thrillers and urban crime stories, The North Side Killer is worth a watch. It’s an ambitious debut from a filmmaker with promise, and while it stumbles in places, it’s clear that Khamla Savathphoune has stories worth telling. Here’s hoping his next effort tightens the screws and delivers on the potential glimpsed here.
Jessie Hobson