Solid, but unremarkable. The claustrophobic close-up camera work helps foster a sense of paranoia and conspiracy, but ultimately the plot ends up being contrived and predictable. The characters are one-dimensional and lack any kind of internal conflict, and many of them act irrationally for no apparent reason. It also became fairly far-fetched towards the end.

Acting is solid in what isn't the most exhilarating watch. Still not convinced to watch the next two installments.

I love a good serial killer movie. This isn't one. It starts off promising but devolves into a predictable story of exposing government corruption. Headstrong young journalist is warned off the story, gets handed mysterious envelopes, up against forces he doesn't understand, beaten up by police, blah blah blah. Almost every scene felt familiar. This really could have used some more compelling forensic work and investigative intuition. Terrible sound mixing as well, and uninspiring performances.

At first I was bothered by Garfield because his age - he looks a bit too immature for his character (awesome sideburns though), but he pulls it through. Story is inriguing and dark. I love how the film gets heavier and heavier and towards the end enters the nightmare mode. I kind of expected to see 'David Lynch was here' written somewhere on the wall. Open ends are killing me. But hey, it's just a first part of a trilogy, and it's a great set-up. I rush to watch part 2. Little did I know...

Pretty decent movie, but nothing groundbreaking. Performances were good, I liked the style, but the story was just kinda bland. I would've killed for some subtitles (I was watching it on television) as there were more than a few instances where I was having a hard time following the dialogue through the thick accents. Worth a viewing, but it might leave you wanting.

I was waiting for something awesome to take me off my feet in this thriller, but was disappointed.

Interesting plot, fairly annoying photography. Hand-held, close-up photography can be done well, but here it lacks the quality of mystery in the characters that makes good close-ups really work. Instead, the close-up camera always seems to be underlining the action and story, which talks down to the audience rather than engages. The performances are good (Marsan is great whatever he's in). And the plot does just enough to keep things interesting throughout.

I think this would be too dull for fans of Hollywood thrillers. I thought it took a while to get going, and, ultimately, the plot is not great from an entertainment stand-point. The film is better at capturing a particular time in the UK and the frustrations with corruption; parts of the film feel like *Taxi Driver*.

Great acting, the full effect of which is elicited by Jarrold's "let's keep the 16mm camera ultra close"-style. Best of the three.

Em busca de um assassino estreava há 15 anos no Reino Unido. Desde que foi lançada tive interesse de ver essa série de filmes, mas só agora surgiu o momento pra ver e fiquei um tanto quanto decepcionada. Claro, my man Garfield está gatíssimo no seu visual anos 70, mas como tinham feito Zodíaco dois anos antes, esperava um filme sobre serial killer jornalisticamente investigado naquele nível. YTS.

I'm reviewing these three tv movies together, because if I were to look at this movie alone on it's merits alone, the score would even lower. Boring film that plays to the tropes of a noir conventions of a crusading reporter about to uncover big corruption at the highest levels power. Except make it long drawn out mess and uninteresting. I do like the atmosphere of the "bad guys" have already won.

I was saving this for some reason, waiting for the right time. It starts promisingly, but gets pretty routine afterwards - or maybe that's how it felt due to similar films and series that have borrowed from it. The ending is expected, but still packs a punch as I didn’t expect that kind of bleakness from a TV movie. It’s a rare occasion where the film gets better towards the ending. Garfield is good & different in his role and period details are top notch. Can't wait to see the next part.

It is so easy to make a boring film and then in the final ten minutes give a stupid and "cliffhangued" resolution...

Shocking, grim, and captivating, Red Riding: The Year of Our Lord 1974 sets the stage for what its sure to be a spellbinding trilogy.

The first of The Red Riding Trilogy which are based on David Peace's Red Riding Quartet books. Although the backdrop is the Yorkshire Ripper murders, and the murders are referenced, the plot here is entirely fictional and revolves around a rookie journalist played by Andrew Garfield. Well acted and gripping. I look forward to the other two.

I liked the way the story was being developed and the way it remained a mystery, though not in a bullshit way which is often practiced by series (trilogies and others) creators. This film of the trilogy made it seem the other two worthwhile as well.

85.500

Very good.

Simmering, intense thriller is beautifully executed by director Jarrold, and performed well by a terrific cast; Garfield's dogged journalist is compelling, but he is backed by an array of fine performers in Hall, Bean and a very amusing Marsan. It's in the deliberate, obsessive attention to detail that the film draws the viewer into this very specific, clannish world; the venal atmosphere becomes almost suffocating by the climax. A quite brilliant start to the trilogy.

Not familiar with the books, but I love how the film approaches the story with a sustained grimness in the futility of the investigation. It's not an odd choice that it follows a journalist rather than a detective in this light since the corruption is at the fore while the rape, mutilation, and murder of young innocent girls is simply the repugnant symptom of widespread avarice. The naïvety of Dunford is an interesting focal point: how dare he conduct real journalism or care about the victims?

Pulpy, self-serious, and ridiculous. And yet... I have such a weakness for Andrew Garfield and his stupid tight leather jacket and the quiet shots this movie has and its deep pulpy cynicism.

There's probably little in here you haven't seen before, but the mix of a wonderful cast, moody cinematography and some pretty dark turns had me interested throughout. A slow burner.

"Proves that HBO has no monopoly on quality small-screen drama." - Nick Schager

It's a long setup to a dramatic end game, but bring your lunch. It's a slow and sometimes boring ride.

I enjoyed the style and acting, storywise I felt this wasn't all that well-executed. Plus the repetitive cycle of getting tiny bit of information and/or getting beat by the cops and then fucking Rebecca Hall (and Downton Abbey chick) and same again got, well, repetitive.

A proficiently visual yet disappointingly mundane British Noir, that also happens to be a dynamite recruitment vehicle for the Yorkshire police department.

84.000

i figured this movie would be horrible, and was proven wrong. i was pleasently surprised with the quality of this movie, i cant exactly say why, but just see it, it's good.

What I like about the movie is the great style of photographing - although, sometimes, it seems a bit too much textbook-style, if you know what i mean... still, a bit too confusing. but way above average and made by someone, who really knows his craft.

The Red Riding Trilogy mixes cynicism and sarcasm, pandering to the naiveté market no differently than Brick and Zodiac...

There's something to be said for a story this archetypal when its presentation is this solid, especially for a TV movie. Warning to North American viewers: this is set in Yorkshire, so the characters aren't exactly speaking the Queen's English here; without subtitles, you'll be lucky to catch one line in three.

Setting off the Red Riding trilogy with a kashmir bang, Jarrolds first installment for me is the pick of the trio setting up the plot with brawler verging on art-house film making.

Above average drama. Lead performance is very good, but the film doesn't break any molds. I think this film sets the record for most cigarettes smoked in one movie. Over 9000 by my count.

Moody but rather contrived and unexciting TV thriller with somewhat sketchily drawn characters. Note that the DVDs of this trilogy inexplicably and unforgivably fail to offer an option for subtitles.

Gripping, harsh, cleverly photographed and extremely well-acted

Gripping crime mystery. One of t' best dramas 'bout t'north I've seen in a while, lad -- it wo champion.

Bleh. I know what it wants to be. I can see it not being it.