Slow Death is an American crime horror film directed by David Fincher, produced by Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks Studios, and distributed by Universal Pictures. The screenplay by Dick Wolf is based on the 2003 book of the same name by Jim Fielder. The film stars Bill Farmer (in his first major live-action film role), Zendaya, and Jennifer Lawrence, with Jessica Chastain, Mark Harmon, Kristen Bell, and Ginnifer Goodwin in supporting roles.
Slow Death tells the story of a notorious serial rapist in New Mexico named David Parker Ray - also known as the "toy box killer", who is notorious for kidnapping numerous women, and then raping and torturing them in unspeakable fashions; three of whom being Kelli Garret, Angelica Mantano, and Cynthia Vigil Jaramillo. Despite Ray being sentenced to 224 years in prison for the rape and torture of Vigil and Garret (but dying without serving one year of his sentence), police still have not found the bodies of the suspected 40-60 victims he may have killed or left for dead. The case remains one of New Mexico's most infamous and most horrific unsolved crimes.
Fincher, Wolf, and Spielberg spent 18 months conducting their own investigation and research into the David Parker Ray case.
Plot[]
On July 26, 1996, the Sierra County Sheriff's Office in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico receives a call from the husband of 22-year-old Kelli Garret (Lawrence) who tells them he hasn't seen his wife for more than a day. She had been missing ever since a heated argument the day before. After she is found, she cannot remember anything, but does remember waking up in a truck on her way home from the Blue Water Saloon, which belongs to Elephant Butte State Park employee David Parker Ray (Farmer).
Cast[]
Bill Farmer as David Parker Ray - Notorious for kidnapping numerous women for many years, and playing a tape usually telling his victims in graphic detail how they will be raped and tortured in unthinkable ways.
Zendaya as Cynthia Vigil Jaramillo - The protagonist of the film. She is working as a prostitute in New Mexico as she becomes one of Ray's victims.
Jennifer Lawrence as Kelli Garret - Ray's first victim.
Mark Harmon as James Yontz - District Attorney who served as part of Ray's trial.
Jessica Chastain as Cindy Hendy - Ray's girlfriend, who reluctantly assists him in his schemes.
MPAA Rating[]
The film is rater R for strong horror violence, language, and extreme sexual content, while the uncut version is rated NC-17.