Watch The Night Stalker

The Night Stalker, a 2016 thriller film directed by Megan Griffiths, follows the chilling true story of Richard Ramirez, also known as the “Night Stalker,” a notorious serial killer who terrorized California in the mid-1980s. Lou Diamond Phillips leads the cast as Gil Carrillo, a detective with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department who takes on the case in hopes of bringing justice to the victims and their families. He’s joined by Bellamy Young, who plays Frank Salerno, another detective tasked with finding the killer.

As the investigation unfolds, The Night Stalker takes viewers on a disturbing journey through the mind of Ramirez, played by Richard Ramirez. The son of devoutly religious parents, Ramirez showed signs of violence at a young age and was eventually drawn to satanism and other dark influences.

The film explores Ramirez’s troubled upbringing, tracing his descent into drug abuse, burglary, and eventually murder. As Carrillo and Salerno close in on their suspect, Ramirez grows increasingly brazen, taunting the police and leaving cryptic messages at his crime scenes.

Annalisa Cochrane also stars as a young victim of Ramirez’s attacks. Her character provides a haunting perspective on the terror and trauma inflicted by the Night Stalker.

Throughout the film, director Megan Griffiths maintains a tense and unsettling atmosphere, aided by a moody, atmospheric score by composer Ali Helnwein. The Night Stalker doesn’t shy away from the gruesome details of Ramirez’s crimes, but it also delves into the emotional toll of the investigation on the detectives, victims, and their loved ones.

Overall, The Night Stalker is a well-crafted and gripping thriller that delivers a chilling portrait of one of America’s most notorious serial killers. With strong performances from Phillips, Young, and Cochrane, it’s a film that’s sure to leave audiences both horrified and transfixed.