Grim and grisly are the goings-on in this often unpleasant, if sometimes hypnotic, drama-thriller about the distinctly unhealthy relationship between college brainbox Todd (Brad Renfro) and Danker (Ian McKellen), the former Nazi commandant he finds hiding in his small town in 1984. Already fascinated by war criminals, Todd goes to the old man's house and, armed with fingerprint evidence, threatens to expose him unless he tells him about his death camp crimes in the war. A cat-and-mouse game ensues, as each tries to ensure against exposure by the other. But a vagrant, who spots Danker in the SS uniform Todd has forced him to wear, brings it all to a bloody head. Although a long time reaching its various climaxes, this is on the whole strong stuff, and contains one of McKellen's best performances, as the evil, reclusive German.