Serial killers, and Ted Bundy in particular, have received quite a bit of mainstream attention as of late. From films starring known celebrities to Netflix documentaries and series, there is not much left of the onion to peel back. However, No Man of God offers a more original, and chilling, take on Bundy and his last years of life. Directed by Amber Sealey and written by C. Robert Cargill, the film recently had its premiere at Tribeca Film Festival.
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No Man of God stars Luke Kirby (TV’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) as the infamous Ted Bundy. He gets a prison visit from FBI agent Bill Hagmaier, played by Elijah Wood (The Lord of the Rings), who asks Bundy to simply talk, not about his specific crimes, but the behaviors and mindsets of killers like him. Over the course of several years, the two men form a unique bond, which gives Hagmaier, and the future of law enforcement, an insight into the most dangerous of criminal minds. The film is based on the true story of their relationship and real conversations.
Although there are other cast members, the film is primarily on the shoulders of Luke Kirby and Elijah Wood. Even more so Kirby, given that he is portraying a man who has been studied and observed for decades. It was obvious homework was done, given how eerie it is seeing Bundy’s mannerisms, speech pattern, and facial expressions flawlessly mimicked. No Man of God is essentially about the power of conversation and this rare bond, so without Kirby’s impeccable execution, the dominoes would fall around him. Elijah Wood plays Agent Hagmaier with empathy and kind eyes, portraying a man who sees the human in the monster. Although his emotions are obvious, the understanding that this killer must still face punishment for his crime is never lost.
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No Man of God does not relive Bundy’s crimes with graphic scenes of horrific violence. But that does not mean the film won’t get under your skin. The conversations do cover some of his most heinous of crimes, leaving it to your imagination to paint the full picture. Anyone who follows true crime stories has seen Bundy’s life of crime play out on-screen at least a few times, so the choice to send chills down the viewer’s spine with psychological dialogue is not only effective, but appreciated. Even if you find yourself exhausted of this subject, No Man of God is one last layer you will want to peel back.
No Man of God releases in theaters, On Demand, and Digital on August 27, 2021, via RLJE Films.
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