Title: Ann Rule Presents The Stranger
Beside Me
Stars: Billy Campbell, Barbara Hershey,
Suki Kaider, Jay Brazeau, Benjamin Ratner, and Kevin Dunn
Writers: Matthew McDuffie and
Matthew Tabak
Based On The Book By: Ann Rule
Director: Paul Shapiro
Running Time: 89 minutes without
commercials
Media: USA Cable Television Network
“Crime Friday” Motion Picture (NTSC VHS Screener)
World Premiere Friday, March 21, 2003,
at 8pm (ET/PT)
Network: USA Cable Television Network
(Check your local cable/satellite listings for channel)
TV Rating: Not Available At The Time Of
Review
Reviewer: Mark A. Rivera
Billy Campbell gives a chilling
performance as serial killer “Ted Bundy” in this USA “Crime Friday”
movie, which also stars Barbara Hershey as “Anne Rule,” the investigator and
author who while working on the biggest story of her life, tracking down a
brutal serial killer, did not know that the young man who was her close friend
was the savage slayer she was hunting.
The most disturbing horror is not the
monster that creeps out and can be clearly defined, but the malevolence hidden
within the ordinary. The horror that feels that it could happen anywhere. Unlike
the previous USA “Crime Friday” films, which focused more so on the person
trying to solve the crime, “Ann Rule Presents The Stranger Beside Me”
focuses on Billy Campbell as “Ted Bundy” more and how his actions effected
those who know him like Ann Rule.
The film features some solid
performances combined with the chilling details of the actions both domestic and
horrific that begin to merge in Campbell’s performance through his
character’s actions after his incarceration. Overall, this might be the
scariest USA “Crime Friday” film I have ever seen. “Ann Rule Presents The
Stranger Beside Me” will premiere on Friday, March 21, 2003, at 8PM (ET/PT) on
the USA Cable Television Network.
© Copyright 2003 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.