Performance & Direction: The Hillside Strangler Review
Last updated: January 26, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Hillside Strangler (2004) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Hillside Strangler features a noteworthy lineup led by Allison Lange . Supported by the likes of Nicholas Turturro and C. Thomas Howell , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Hillside Strangler (2004) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.0/10, it stands as a decent one-time watch.
Story & Plot Summary: The Hillside Strangler
Quick Plot Summary: The Hillside Strangler is a Drama, Horror, Mystery, Thriller film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: The Hillside Strangler
Ending Breakdown: The Hillside Strangler attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Hillside Strangler reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Hillside Strangler?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Drama films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Box Office Collection: The Hillside Strangler
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $1.4M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
The Hillside Strangler Budget
The estimated production budget for The Hillside Strangler is $1.4M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: The Hillside Strangler
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Hillside Strangler Online?
Streaming HubThe Hillside Strangler Parents Guide & Age Rating
2004 AdvisoryWondering about The Hillside Strangler age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Hillside Strangler is 97 minutes (1h 37m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.0/10, and global performance metrics, The Hillside Strangler is classified as a AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2004 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Hillside Strangler worth watching?
The Hillside Strangler is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 5/10 and stands as a AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Hillside Strangler parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Hillside Strangler identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Hillside Strangler?
The total duration of The Hillside Strangler is 97 minutes, which is approximately 1h 37m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Hillside Strangler
Hardly Kissing Cousins. Kenneth Bianchi and Angelo Buono were two cousins who were convicted of the rape, torture and murder of 10 females of various ages in LA 1977/78. This film is an interpretation of their reign of terror. Unpleasant. If you are going to do a serial killer movie, one based on real life perpetrators, then you surely have to make the characterisations of fascination value away from their despicable crimes. Unfortunately director Chuck Parello and co-writer Stephen Johnston fail to do this, leaving the film with a paucity of worthwhile human story moments. It’s not helped by the fact Nicholas Torturro as Buono is badly miscast, he’s just impossible to take serious in a role that calls for the ultimate seriousness. On the plus side, C. Thomas Howell as Bianchi hits the right notes. Howell is something of an undervalued actor in dark roles, as far back as 1990 where he played a vengeful killer in a film called Kid, he’s been doing good moody work in thrillers. Elsewhere John Pirozzi’s cinematography is on the money, keeping the murky tones of the film in harness, while Gregg Gibbs’ production design has all the late 1970s requisites. 5/10
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
