An FBI special agent and the Albuquerque police department hunt for a serial killer nicknamed The Bone Collector. The chief of police and one of his officers, however, believe someone in the department may be the killer.
Boneyard (2024) Movie Review
Boneyard, directed by Asif Akbar, is a crime thriller inspired by the real-life West Mesa murders, where the skeletal remains of eleven women were found in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The film, despite its gripping premise, fails to deliver a compelling narrative and falls short in execution.
Plot Summary
The story follows Police Chief Carter (Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson) and FBI Special Agent Petrovick (Mel Gibson) as they investigate the discovery of multiple human remains in the New Mexico desert. The investigation unearths connections to a string of disappearances between 2001 and 2005, all pointing towards a methodical and religiously motivated serial killer.
Review
Boneyard struggles with coherence and narrative structure. The Movie‘s direction and screenplay, handled by Akbar alongside Vincent E. McDaniel, Hank Byrd, and Koji Steven Sakai, are criticized for their disjointed scenes and lack of a cohesive storyline. The movie’s attempt to balance personal drama with the investigative plot dilutes its potential impact.
The performances are another weak point. Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s portrayal of Police Chief Carter is notably flat, while Mel Gibson’s role as Agent Petrovick lacks the necessary gravitas. Brian Van Holt and Nora Zehetner deliver better performances, but they aren’t enough to save the film from its overall mediocrity
Themes and Execution
The film attempts to explore themes of justice and the psychological toll of hunting a serial killer, but it often resorts to clichéd and uninspired storytelling techniques. The personal backstory of Agent Petrovick, who is haunted by his daughter’s murder, feels underdeveloped and fails to evoke the intended emotional response
Boneyard had the potential to be a chilling crime thriller but is ultimately undermined by poor direction, weak performances, and a lack of narrative focus. It serves as a reminder that even true crime stories need strong storytelling to resonate with audiences.
Final Verdict
While Boneyard aims to shed light on a real-life unsolved mystery, its execution leaves much to be desired. It stands as an example of how important coherent storytelling and strong performances are in bringing such harrowing tales to life.Watch Boneyard Online For Free Only On Netnaija
Rating: 1/10