Product Details

• Actors: Scott Anthony Leet, Cole Williams, Dusty Sorg, Michael Rooker, Debbon Ayer
• Directors: John Murlowski
• Writers: David Birke
• Producers: Andrew Herman, Ehud Bleiberg, Jeff Davis, Nadine Corde, Nicholas Donnermeyer
• Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English, Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Studio: Image Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: February 16, 2010
• Run Time: 85 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B002XUBDV0
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #206,962 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Freeway Killer [Blu-ray]" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

For years he terrorized California motorists as he rode the endless highways searching for his next victim. The discarded bodies turned up beaten, sexually assaulted and horribly mutilated. Deceptively charming and intelligent, the scheming murderer easily avoided police at first. But as police closed in and the killer's pattern grew more erratic, the only question was how many more will die? Find out in this chilling true story of one of our most notorious serial killers, William Bonin aka the Freeway Killer, whose poisoned mind struck terror into an entire nation.

Stills from Freeway Killer 

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Barely Scratches the Surface of Bonin's Life, February 8, 2010

By 

Compay (New Orleans, LA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Freeway Killer [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray)

Freeway Killer only offers a glimpse at the life of serial killer William Bonin, who was responsible for killing no less than 20 young men over a two-year period.

The film was written by David Birke, who had also worked on the serial killer films "Gacy" and "Dahmer." Overall, the film has the vibe of a made-for-cable movie. The majority of the cast had only acted in television, with the exception of film veteran Michael Rooker (Days of Thunder). Scott Leet, while having primarily worked in TV, shows great promise in his portrayal of the serial killer. Leet nails the role that finds him between the rage of a sadistic mentor, and the paranoia of a sociopathic headcase.

What made Bonin notable as a serial killer is that he was the first prisoner in California to be executed by lethal injection. Beyond that, there doesn't seem to be much to warrant having a film dedicated to his crimes. Bonin's own murky past is all but ignored until the film's conclusion; the audience never really understands what motivates his actions. Despite Bonin's history of molesting boys, details of his sexual deviance is also almost entirely omitted from the film as well.

The movie isn't particularly suspenseful, and it never delves into what turned Bonin into a monster in the first place. Beyond Scott Leet's performance, there isn't much else to offer praise for. It's worth a rental, but I wouldn't recommend buying it until after you've watched it and formed your own opinion.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Total Crap, November 20, 2011

By 

Kurt Steele "arcticranger" (New York City) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Freeway Killer (DVD)

The worst aspect of this film is Scott Anthony Leet, I actually googled him to see if was a real actor or maybe just a friend of the director. He has two modes:

1. happy excited best bud: "hey I bet I can wolf my burger faster than yours!"
2. instant channel change to crazy-eyed killer: "what do you MEAN you don't like pickles..."

Just look at the DVD picture, that's how he looks in mode 2.

Also, wasn't Bonin a homosexual who raped young men and killed them? I guess that was too much research to do for the screenwriter.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars an uncontrollable lust for blood, drives serial killer William Bonin..., November 9, 2011

By 

trebe - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Freeway Killer (DVD)

Based on an actual criminal case, Freeway Killer (2010) tells the chilling and disturbing story of a notorious serial killer named William Bonin who lived in California, and preyed on young men. Bonin would deposit the dead bodies of his victims along the side of major roadways, leading to his gaining the nickname of "Freeway Killer".

Roughly set in the 1979 through 1980 time period, the film does a fairly good job of recounting some very bizarre happenings, as Bonin (played by Scott Anthony Leet) may have been responsible for over thirty murders. Bonin would typically befriend young men, offer them rides in his van, provide them marijuana, and them kill them. Other times he would take them to his home, and murder them there. Bonin worked alone, and also with several partners, including Vernon Butts (Dusty Song).

Unknown to them, some of Bonin's victims walked a strange line between life and death. In some cases, instead of killing them, Bonin would attempt to get his victims to participate in the murder of another. The film shows an instance of this, as Kyle Peterson (Cole Williams), a convenience store clerk, is introduced to Bonin's and Butt's world of violence, and then participates in a brutal murder.

Bonin's compulsions to kill are overpowering, and lead to a rift between him and Butts, and also with new partner Peterson. Bonin's extreme recklessness eventually leads to his being suspected by the police, and his arrest while actually choking a victim.

The chilling story is told in flashbacks, as while on death row, Bonin has some conversations with a mother who suspects that her missing son was one of his many victims. The film features several up close and personal kills that spotlights the extreme intensity of the violence, and effectively portrays the taking of life in a realistic and scary way.

That all the victims are male, makes for a change of pace from the usual serial killer drama. The film doesn't specifically address sexual assault, although the real William Bonin did rape some of his victims, and also killed minors. The movie portrays Bonin as someone who's thirst for blood causes him to become reckless, although why he risked working with various partners, generally remains obscure. Vernon Butts, who fancied himself as having mystical powers, was apparently also quite an unusual character. The film doesn't show Butts committing any murders, but he was eventually charged as an accomplice in nine homicides.

The film seems to realistically capture, at least some of the madness that possessed William Bonin. Scott Anthony Leet's edgy performance is chilling, and explosively violence. Dusty Song, Cole Williams, and Michael Rooker as the officer in charge of the investigation, are all very solid. The commentary track by director John Murlowski and writer David Birke is helpful in both understanding more about the making of the movie, and the actual case. Freeway Killer is not a pleasant watch, but it is a very solid, often riveting crime drama with a conclusive ending. Rating: 3.5 stars.