If memory serves me well, I believe that I mentioned Heavy Rain for the first time ever in my post about the iconic Box Art in video games. Indeed, Heavy Rain’s box art cover is one of the most recognizable, yet simplistic box covers ever. And it’s still the case, a decade after the game’s release. But you can check out that post again here. You’re welcome.
But right now, I’m exploring the game itself, and the theme of the game. The hunt for a vicious serial killer. Most importantly, the game features four protagonists involved with the mystery of the Origami Killer. A serial murderer who uses extended periods of rainfall to drown his victims. And of course, as always we’ll be mixing this project with his cinematic counterparts.
Which movies will end up on this list? Scroll down to find out. However, I believe that a word or two about the game is in order.
What’s Heavy Rain All About?
Spanning four days of mystery and suspense, the hunt is on for a murderer known only as the Origami Killer. Four characters, each following their own leads and with their own motives, must take part in a desperate attempt to prevent the killer from claiming a new victim. You need to think fast and act even faster, as every choice and move you make can result in dramatic, game-changing consequences – and even determine who lives… and who dies. As you can probably tell, we do have Heavy Rain in our online store, here at IndieGala. And additionally it’s on sale, but hurry up. That sale is not going to last that much longer.
Stills from Heavy Rain
What Are The Steam Users Saying About Heavy Rain?
I waited 9 years for the PC port, then another for the Steam version. It’s worth it. Said kertitorpe about the game on Steam.
While Heavy Rain offers a real mature story and puts you in some difficult situations that face them in our daily lives. For a long time I wanted to play this game and now I have the opportunity I am very happy that I finally got on the PC. 10/10 Must Play. Thanks again Quantic Dream for bringing this game to PC. – Added Andúril also on Steam about the game.
So, that being said… Which movies would be great here? Serial killers on the loose? And with killer motives (excuse the pun)? Here are some of our picks.
More stills from Heavy Rain
Seven
Seven is one of the defining movies of the ’90s. And a movie that restored David Fincher’s career, after the disastrous Aliens 3 movie. But at the same time, it’s a thriller about the hunt for John Doe (Kevin Spacey). A serial killer with obsession for the seven deadly sins. Detective Mills (Brad Pitt) and Somerset (Morgan Freeman) are investigating the gruesome murders committed by Doe, but catching him won’t be as easy.
As you may already know, Each of Doe’s murders represents one of the deadly sins. And well, it’s the climax movie the part that you will never forget. The murders leading up to the climax sure. But the end is really shocking as well. Seven is a movie marked by fantastic performances and even more incredible direction. You can see Fincher’s disdain for a handheld camera, and how sparingly he uses it in the famous What’s in the box scene. The handheld camera is for the two detectives, while the steady cam is for John Doe.
Fun fact: David Fincher was determined to make the film without compromising his vision. Unlike his first film, Alien³ (1992), where there was much fighting and bickering between Fincher and the studio executives.
Silence Of The Lambs
Another Classic from the ’90s and what a movie this is. It features one of the well-known serial killers. Hannibal Lector. And his assistance in catching another killer on the loose. Much like with Seven, Silence Of The Lambs is filled to the brim with fantastic performances. Not to mention, it also has a thrilling and exhilarating climax that’s worth your time and patience. The performances from Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster are truly remarkable, and those were some deserving Oscars i might add. But this is a great movie that’s worth watching all on it’s on. In addition to the Oscars for the two lead actors, the movie won 3 more. And it’s a true classic today don’t you think?.
Fun fact: The Silence of the Lambs inspiration comes from the real-life relationship between University of Washington criminology professor and profiler Robert Keppel and serial killer Ted Bundy.
Monster
Another Oscar-worthy performance, but this time about a female serial killer. And a real-life prostitute turned serial killer. Indeed, I’m talking about Monster, the 2003 biopic about the life and eventual apprehension of Aileen “Lee” Wuornos. One of the most notorious serial killers in the USA. Charlize Theron rightfully so won the Oscar for best actress in a leading role for this movie. And her performance even today is noted as one of the best ever. Additionally, this was Patty Jenkins’s directorial debut, who would go on and direct the two Wonder Woman movies much later in her career. However, I was saddened that the performance of Christina Ricci, flew under the radar because she was inedible as well. But all in all, this is a fantastic movie, and it’s worth the watch. I highly recommend it.
Fun Fact: Charlize Theron won the Academy Award for playing Aileen Wuornos on February 29, 2004, Wuornos’ birthday.
American Psycho
Indeed, another movie directed by a woman, but just as iconic as monster. Christian Bale stars in the role of the American Psycho. or, the serial killer Patrick Bateman. And he’s incredible as usual, but it goes without saying that. But this is another film that’s filled with incredible actors. Yes, it’s remembered by the dedicated performance by Bale, but there are some A-listers too. And they gave us some really great performances. From Jared Leto to Willem Dafoe and Reese Witherspoon. They’re all good. All in all, there are three Oscar winners in American Psycho. While some praised the movie, others criticized the excessive violence. However, there’s no denying that it’s not a memorable movie.
Fun fact: During the shooting of the film, Christian Bale spoke in an American accent off-set at all times. At the wrap party, when he began to speak in his native Welsh accent. So, many of the crew members thought he was speaking that way as an accent for another film. They had thought he was American throughout the entire shoot.
Zodiac
I started this post with a David Fincher movie, and it seems fitting to end it. Zodiac. As the title suggests, the movie is about the notorious Zodiac killer. A serial killer that terrorized the people in the San Francisco Bay Area in the late ’60s and early ’70s. And a serial killer that is never apprehended, I might add. As with plenty of Fincher’s movies it’s beautifully directed, well-acted and with fantastic camera work and cinematography. But over here we don’t have simply a detective’s tale of catching the killer. No, the political cartoonist Robert Graysmith (played by Jake Gyllenhaal) amps up his obsession with the Zodiac killer too. It’s a detective story with a twist.
Fun fact: The Zodiac case was re-opened after the release of the film.
Which Movies Would You Add To The Heavy Rain Post?
Would you add Psycho as well? Or perhaps would you go a step further and add the brilliant TV series Mindhunter? The series deals with already apprehended serial killers but also with the ones that are on the loose. Let us know in the comment section. We’d love to know.
