Watch The Mean Season

The Mean Season is a 1985 thriller film directed by Phillip Borsos, based on the novel In the Heat of the Summer by John Katzenbach. The film features an incredible cast, including Kurt Russell, Mariel Hemingway, and Richard Jordan. The story revolves around a Miami Herald journalist named Malcolm Anderson (Kurt Russell), who is tired of writing meaningless stories about crime and fluff pieces for the newspaper. One day, he receives a phone call from a serial killer known as the "Numbers Killer" (Richard Jordan), who promises to give him exclusive stories about his murder spree. Malcolm eventually agrees to publish the story, hoping it will help him get the recognition he craves.

As the story progresses, Malcolm finds himself drawn deeper into the mind of the Numbers Killer, who proves to be an intelligent and manipulative adversary. He learns that the killer is not driven by revenge or lust but by a desire to be heard and understood. In a strange way, Malcolm and the killer develop a strange relationship, with Malcolm becoming the killer's confidant and the only person he trusts.

As time passes, the killer becomes increasingly bold and begins to target people close to Malcolm, including his girlfriend Christine (Mariel Hemingway). Malcolm realizes that he is in the middle of a deadly game, with the killer using him as his pawn. He must find a way to outmaneuver the killer, protect those he cares about, and solve the case before the killer claims his next victim.

Throughout the film, the tension is high, and the pace is relentless. The Mean Season has all the hallmarks of a classic thriller, with a great storyline, a strong cast, and exceptional direction. Kurt Russell delivers a fantastic performance as the conflicted journalist who finds himself in over his head. Mariel Hemingway is also excellent as the supportive girlfriend who becomes embroiled in the story's twists and turns.

Richard Jordan, in particular, delivers a standout performance as the Numbers Killer. He brings a disturbing depth to the character, making him both terrifying and sympathetic. The audience is never quite sure what he is capable of, and Jordan plays the part to perfection.

The Mean Season's cinematography is also noteworthy, capturing the dark, gritty streets of Miami with style and flair. The film's use of location and music is particularly effective, creating a brooding and intense atmosphere that adds to the film's overall sense of danger and dread.

Overall, The Mean Season is an excellent thriller that showcases the talents of its cast and crew. It's a film that keeps you guessing until the final reveal, with unexpected twists and turns that will leave you on the edge of your seat. If you're a fan of classic thriller movies, then The Mean Season is definitely a film worth watching.

The Mean Season is a 1985 mystery with a runtime of 1 hour and 43 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 55.