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Citizen X

1995·Movie
1h 45min·R
IMDb7.4Rotten Tomatoes86%86%

Where to watch

HBO Max

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

What's your score?

Your score

Citizen X fingerprint

High energy, strong craft, light on feelings.

Energy

Tense and thrilling

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension8
  • Adrenaline7
  • Violence7

Heart

Melancholic

  • Melancholy7
  • Pathos6
  • Catharsis6

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Dark Humor4
  • Wit & Wordplay2
  • Cringe Humor2

World

Crime, mystery, and a real life story

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • Rewatchability6

Craft

Standout performances, storytelling, and characters

  • Intrigue9
  • Acting8
  • Narrative Structure8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition6

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightSolo WatchThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You need an uplifting mood

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Suspense moviesEducational movies

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

You don't want to know what he does... You just want to know when he's caught.

Based on the true story of a Russian serial killer who, over many years, claimed victim to over 50 people. His victims were mostly under the age of 17. In what was then a communists state, the police investigations were hampered by bureaucracy, incompetence and those in power. The story is told from the viewpoint of the detective in charge of the case.
Russian Serial KillerTrue CrimePolice InvestigationPolitical IntrigueCold War EraBleak AtmospherePsychological ThrillerBureaucratic ObstaclesIntense Drama

Crew

Directed by:
Chris Gerolmo, Brenda K. Wachel, Michelangelo Csaba Bolla
Written by:
Chris Gerolmo, Chris Gerolmo, Robert Cullen
Produced by:
Matthew Chapman, Laura Bickford, Joyce Nettles
Composed by:
David Farmer, Randy Edelman, Jason King

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Citizen X

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Citizen X legally?

HBO Max

Citizen X is included with a subscription to HBO Max in the United States. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Citizen X worth watching?

81
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 82/100 (IMDb 7.4 and Rotten Tomatoes 86%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Citizen X rated?

RViolenceDisturbing imagery

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: violence and disturbing imagery.

How long is Citizen X?

1 h 45 min

Citizen X runs 1 h 45 min.

Is Citizen X based on a true story?

Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.

Do critics and audiences agree on Citizen X?

Critics86
Audiences80

Yes. Critics average 86 and audiences 80 out of 100, so both groups see Citizen X much the same way.

What language is Citizen X in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Citizen X?

87ADAEAGALARAUBABBBGBHBOBRBSBZ+73

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Citizen X in 87 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Citizen X use?

Hoist by His Own PetardEye RememberThe Film of the BookDirty CommunistsMy God, What Have I Done?Bedlam HouseEstablishing Character MomentIronic EchoTake That!The CynicManly TearsGory Discretion Shotand 50 more

TV Tropes lists 62 storytelling tropes for Citizen X, including Hoist by His Own Petard, Eye Remember, The Film of the Book.