Watch In Cold Blood

In Cold Blood is a 1996 film adaptation of Truman Capote's true crime novel of the same name. The movie tells the story of the brutal 1959 murder of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas, and the subsequent investigation and capture of the killers. Anthony Edwards plays the role of Richard 'Dick' Hickock, one of the two men responsible for the murders. Eric Roberts portrays the other killer, Perry Smith. Sam Neill stars as Alvin Dewey, the lead investigator on the case. The movie also features an extensive supporting cast, including Kevin Tighe, Brenda Bakke, and Marg Helgenberger.

In Cold Blood is structured as a docudrama, with the events of the movie based on true events. The narrative follows the Clutter family in the days leading up to their murder, as well as the killers' haphazard planning and eventual capture. Despite the film's fairly well-trodden story, the performances from the cast lend the movie a sense of humanity and depth that makes it engaging throughout.

Anthony Edwards and Eric Roberts both give stand-out performances as the cold and cunning killers. Edwards portrays Hickock as the more calculating of the two, while Roberts gives a more nuanced performance as the tortured and conflicted Perry Smith. The relationship between the two men is complex and layered, with moments of brutal violence offset by genuine moments of shared intimacy.

Sam Neill's performance as investigator Alvin Dewey provides the moral center of the movie. Dewey is a down-to-earth, hardworking man who is dedicated to finding justice for the Clutter family. Neill portrays the character with a sense of warmth and relatability that makes it easy to root for him.

In addition to the strong performances, In Cold Blood is also noteworthy for its direction and cinematography. Director Jonathan Kaplan employs a gritty and realistic visual style that effectively captures the stark Midwestern landscapes of Kansas. The movie's score, composed by Michael Small, is haunting and atmospheric, heightening the tension throughout.

Despite its gruesome subject matter, In Cold Blood is not a gratuitously violent movie. Instead, it is a thoughtful and well-crafted exploration of the nature of violence and the psychology of murderers. The film is unflinching in its portrayal of the horrific crimes committed by Hickock and Smith but also recognizes and acknowledges the humanity of their victims.

In Cold Blood is a powerful and engrossing movie that succeeds in bringing the events of Truman Capote's novel to the screen with clarity and depth. The strong performances from the cast, along with the film's strong direction and cinematography, make it a classic of the true crime genre.

In Cold Blood is a series that ran for 1 seasons (3 episodes) between November 23, 1996 and on FilmRise