material is elevated by a first-rate cast and crew

Rating: Null/10 (9 April 2007)

A celebrated L.A. homicide detective with a controversial past travels to a small Alaskan town to aid in the murder investigation of a teenage girl. Sleep-deprived and ridden with guilt after the investigation takes a drastic turn, he's drawn into an intricate cat-and-mouse game with the primary suspect: a sly crime novelist who's holding all the cards. What could've easily been a run-of-the-mill cop flick is instead elevated into a stylish, atmospheric, and consistently gripping psychological thriller thanks to a top-notch cast, taut direction, and superb storytelling. A smart, well-crafted, and suspenseful mystery/thriller. ***