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During the 1970s, a cold and calculating but charismatic killer stalked women around the country. Though some thought that he was just plain crazy, the government wanted to understand what made him do the things he did. And No Man of God explores the interactions between Bundy and the FBI Agent assigned to get inside his head.
No Man of God stars Elijah Wood as Bill Hagmaier, a Special Agent with the FBI who was one of the first five members of the Bureau’s new Behavioral Sciences Unit, tasked with studying criminals to combat crime. In 1985, Bill is assigned a subject that no one else wants: Ted Bundy (Luke Kirby). Known for his hatred of federal agents and his refusal to speak to anyone, Bundy is the last person that anyone expects to open up. But through years of visits and letters, the two build an unlikely relationship.
From the first meeting between the killer and the profiler, it’s clear that Bundy has met his match. Hagmaier knows exactly what he’s doing as he downplays his own experience and abilities and plays to Bundy’s ego. And as the two get to know each other, talking about their lives and their families, each conversation eventually comes down to a tense game of cat and mouse, Hagmaier gauging Bundy’s reactions and facial expressions, choosing each move carefully.
Though most of this film plays out in one stark room—just two men and a table—there’s nothing bland about it. The tight shots give the film an intimate feel, as if the audience is right there in the room, observing the battle of wits between these two smart, calculating men. These conversations are absolutely captivating—and, like Hagmaier, you’ll find yourself scrutinizing each expression, each statement. Kirby is particularly mesmerizing as Bundy, his every move as carefully planned as Bundy’s own must have been.
The only moments that break the breathtaking tension of the prison conversations are the occasional scenes of Hagmaier in his office or driving his car—or strange snippets of bizarre B-roll footage. In all of the tension of the film, these moments feel strange and even a little disappointing. But at least they allow you to stop and catch your breath in the midst of the film’s drama and suspense.
No Man of God doesn’t go in-depth into Bundy’s crimes. It doesn’t get to know his victims. So if you’re looking at a serial killer dramatization, this isn’t it. But in exploring these conversations, it offers a fascinating look at the psychology of a notorious killer.
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