by Charles Kirkland Jr.
How far can one person go to try to understand the criminal psyche before they become trapped by it? A woman tries to find out in the psychological thriller, The Madness Inside Me.
Madison (Merrin Dungey) is a forensic psychiatrist who conducts psychiatric evaluation upon offenders for various court cases. One night she is the victim of a home invasion where she witnesses her husband being killed and the perpetrator who kills him. Mysteriously, when the police catch the murderer, Madison recants her testimony and allows him to be released. What Madison has in store for the killer is a voyage into an unimaginable depth that is shocking to everyone around her.
Written and directed by Matthew Berkowitz, The Madness Inside Me stars Dungey, with Devon Graye, Jennifer Gelfer, Scotty Tovar, and Thomas Q. Jones. This is the third film that Berkowitz has written and directed and marks only the second time that has also produced the film as well. Berkowitz’s last film, A Violent Man, which also starred Thomas Q. Jones, was the only film that he wrote and directed but did not produce.
To his credit, Berkowitz is staying in his lane. Creating another twisty, psychological thriller, he continues to take the time to hone and fine-tune his craft. The direction of the film is pretty standard for this type of film with its requisite darkness and naughty voyeurisms that give the viewers a look into the story without revealing its nature. Berkowitz does a good job of capturing colors, including darker skin tones, despite the overall lack of light in the film.
For all the praise given to the direction of the film, the story, however, is lacking. There is little to understand in this movie. There is no point in relation to the characters that are made or even attempted. The movie feels disjointed and inexplicably and illogically moves the viewers from sympathetic to Madison to being repulsed by her. By the end of the film, viewers are left to wonder why we had to take this journey.
The film is a vehicle for Merrin Dungey who many may remember from Alias, The King of Queens, and Big Little Lies. Dungey does well with the role she is given with a performance that shows a lot of control and range. Unfortunately, because of the independent nature of the film, her work here will most likely not place her in contention for any recognition as we approach awards season. Sadly, her acting is the only redeeming value for the film.
Unrated by the MPAA, The Madness Inside Me most probably would be rated R for violence, sexual situations, and thematic material. This is not the best work by Berkowitz nor is it the worst. The constraints of screenplay and budget hamper the film and where other independent filmmakers find a way, Berkowitz does not. The Madness Inside Me is maddening and torturous to watch. It just makes the audience angry.
The Madness Inside Me is playing on VOD and limited theaters.
Grade: C-