Michael Sanford (Brett Cullen) relocates to his old town to manage the family business, taking his wife Diane (Tamlyn Tomita) with him. However, the community is soon gripped by fear as a series of child murders unfold. Michael's strange behavior makes Diane suspect his involvement in these murders.
The film was an independent production,[2][3] and director Evan C. Crooke's first film.[3] Crooke was only in his mid-20s when he made The Killing Jar,[4] having a few years earlier graduated from the University of Tampa (UT).[4] Crooke struggled with dyslexia, and was guided through university by UT director of admissions Bob Cook, who himself overcame learning difficulties when he was younger.[4] Cook died in a pedestrian accident a week before The Killing Jar began shooting, and the film would end up being dedicated to him.[4] Shooting occurred around Los Angeles, California.
The Killing Jar was a success for Crooke, and became the impetus for him to start his own film company, Osirisent.[2]
Release and reception
In the United States, The Killing Jar was released direct-to-video on May 27, 1997 by A-Pix Entertainment. It was also released on video in several European countries that year, as well as in India and Malaysia.[4] The international distribution of the film was handled by Curb International.[4]
On June 11, 1997, a LaserDisc was released in the United States. The LaserDisc release was handled by Image Entertainment, who did numerous other releases on the format.[5] In 1998, the film was released on DVD by Simtar Entertainment.[6] It is currently available on digital platforms Amazon Prime,[7]Apple TV[8] and Tubi.[9]
The film received a two out of five star rating on AllMovie.[10] It has retrospectively been described as being part of a wave of serial killer-focused films from the 1990s.[11]
References
↑ Nowlan, Robert A.; Nowlan, Gwendolyn Wright (2001). The films of the nineties: a complete, qualitative filmography of over 3000 feature-length English language films, theatrical and video-only, released between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 1999. United Kingdom: McFarland.
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