The Postcard Killings (2020)

A New York detective goes on a massive hunt throughout Europe in this adaptation of the James Patterson-Liza Marklund novel.

New York detective Jacob Kanon has just learned some very shocking news. His daughter and son-in-law have been murdered in London while on their honeymoon. When Jacob identifies the bodies, he is shocked to learn, he finds himself determined to find out who killed his daughter and why. While in London, Kanon finds clues that there may be more murders set to happen, but the local police force him out of the investigation. Meanwhile, in Sweden, journalist Dessie Larsson receives a very strange postcard. Soon thereafter, another couple have been found murdered. Upon learning what had happened, Kanon heads to Stockholm.

At first, tensions quell between Dessie and Jacob. However, they soon discover that when journalists are sent postcards full of artworks with the victims later seen in poses that look like the postcards’ artwork. Jacob and Dessie decide to work together to find whoever is responsible. When a couple of suspects are nabbed, Jacob can tell something is off but there is enough evidence to prove they are not responsible. Meanwhile, Jacob’s wife Valerie, still in New York, may have found some clues that could be related to the murders in Europe and plans to help seek justice for their daughter.

Based on the James Patterson and Liza Marklund novel, Marklund co-wrote the script for the film and does a great job adding some intricate twists in the story all while depicting this tough New York detective in Europe trying to find his daughter’s murderer. Some of the twists involve the detective’s wife, played by Famke Janssen, who tells him she’s not going to stand around and do nothing and attempts to get some clues while at home during his investigation in Europe.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan plays lead Jacob Kanon with a combination of tough NYPD cop and emotionally wrecked father. One scene will have Kanon become all tough when it comes to attempting to help the local police. He even questions certain officers who may have evidence on the case if they are fathers as well. This is where Kanon can become extremely emotional, especially in the case of one officer who tells him he has a little girl. Kanon responds that nothing makes a father more emotional than having a daughter. This shows the level of sensitivity the character has and you can only sympathize even more with Kanon when he reaches that emotional level.

While the aforementioned Famke Janssen is excellent in making the most of her screen time as Jacob’s wife Valerie, who goes from heartbroken mother to reliable ally from afar, it is British actress Cush Jumbo who makes for an excellent ally in journalist Dessie. Unlike most of these types of male-female partnerships, there is no romantic tension at all between Jacob and Dessie. It is more that they find themselves having to work together when she receives a postcard that will depict the possibility of the next murders. Kudos goes out to Naomi Battrick, Ruairi O’Connor, and Denis O’Hare with their roles proving to be very vital to the plot of the film.

The Postcard Killings is a well-made thriller that shows the emotional range of Jeffrey Dean Morgan as a detective hellbent on seeking justice for his daughter’s murder.

WFG RATING: B+

RLJE Films presents a Good Films Collective production in association with K. Jam Media. Director: Danis Tanovic. Producers: Paul Brennan, Tracey E. Edmonds, Leopoldo Gout, Anna Sofia Morck, Peter Nelson, and Miriam Segal. Writers: Liza Marklund and Andrew Stern; based on the novel by James Patterson and Liza Marklund. Cinematography: Salvatore Totino. Editing: Sean Barton.

Cast: Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Famke Janssen, Cush Jumbo, Denis O’Hare, Naomi Battrick, Ruairi O’Connor, Joachim Krol, Eva Rose, Lukas Loughran, Steven Mackintosh, Dylan Devonald Smith, Sallie Harmsen.

The film will hit select theaters, On Demand, and Digital on March 13.