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Drama thriller

The Postcard Killings (2020): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Postcard Killings (2020) movie poster

The Postcard Killings is a 2020 drama thriller directed by Danis Tanovic, starring Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Jacob Kanon, Famke Janssen and Steven Mackintosh. It is partly based on The Postcard Killers by James Patterson and Liza Marklund. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes and earned $181,415 worldwide. Critics gave it 22% on Rotten Tomatoes and 29 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10.

IMDb rating
5.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
22%
worldwide gross
$181.4K
Echo Score
38
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The Postcard Killings (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 44m (104 min)
Director
Danis Tanovic
Genres
Drama , Mystery , Thriller , Crime
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Postcard Killings About?

The premise of The Postcard Killings without spoilers, adapted from The Postcard Killers by James Patterson and Liza Marklund.

Following the brutal murder of his daughter, Detective Jacob Kanon journeys from New York to London in a relentless search for justice. He discovers a disturbing connection when a series of gruesome killings across Europe are linked by sinister postcards. As he pursues the killer’s trail, Jacob must confront the darkness and fight to stop the escalating violence and find closure for his profound loss.

The Postcard Killings Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • london england
  • brother and sister pretending to be husband and wife
  • serial killer
  • postcard
  • announcing a murder
  • art lover
  • classical art
  • veteran cop
  • hunt for a serial killer
  • police protagonist
  • police investigation
  • police
+38 more
  • husband wife relationship
  • psycho killer
  • car chase
  • f word
  • profanity
  • hospital
  • retiring cop
  • cemetery
  • ex husband ex wife relationship
  • coroner
  • posed corpse
  • posed murder victim
  • posed body
  • american in europe
  • american abroad
  • death of loved one
  • kissing on a train
  • death of daughter
  • murder of daughter
  • identifying a dead body
  • tattoo on finger
  • hotel room
  • arm sling
  • parking garage
  • honeymoon
  • airport
  • munich germany
  • severed eye
  • american in germany
  • american in england
  • stockholm sweden
  • american in sweden
  • female reporter
  • murder board
  • surveillance footage
  • amsterdam netherlands
  • reference to melania trump
  • brussels belgium
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Cast & crew

The Postcard Killings Cast & Characters

Jeffrey Dean Morgan leads the cast as Jacob Kanon, with Famke Janssen as Valerie Kanon and Steven Mackintosh as Detective Inspector Rupert Pearce. Directed by Danis Tanovic; 11 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Postcard Killings

· 7 more
From the director

More from Danis Tanovic

More films directed by Danis Tanovic, best-rated first: No Man's Land, September 11 and Cirkus Columbia.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Postcard Killings Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Postcard Killings 22% on Rotten Tomatoes and 29 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 38/100, strongest in art & craft (50) and weakest in rewatch factor (20).

38 /100

The Postcard Killings Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, The Postcard Killings suffers from a lethargic narrative and inconsistent execution. While a few comments highlight competent direction and a solid lead performance, the majority of critiques point to a dull plot, unremarkable character work, and jarring pacing. Observers also found the procedural elements heavy-handed and the twist undercut by convenient revelations. Despite sporadic praise for its visual framing, the film ultimately fails to maintain suspense or emotional engagement, leaving a net impression of unfulfilled potential.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 50

    In terms of art and craft, direction and cinematography deliver moments of visual polish but overall lack consistency. Some scenes exhibit carefully composed framing, yet the editing often feels disjointed and the production design remains functional rather than expressive. The film’s aesthetic choices thus yield fleeting visual interest but fail to establish a cohesive artistic identity.

  • Character & Emotion 40

    When it comes to character and emotion, the central performance provides occasional depth, but supporting roles largely feel underdeveloped. The lead actor’s measured portrayal stands out amid a cast unable to transcend thin characterizations. Dialogue often lacks nuance, limiting emotional resonance. Altogether, the character work struggles to foster meaningful audience investment.

  • Story & Flow 30

    The story and flow are hampered by uneven pacing and a reliance on formulaic twists. Early sequences engage with a promise of mystery, but momentum dissipates as plot developments hinge on contrived clues. Shifts in setting and timeline feel abrupt, undermining coherence. Overall, the narrative fails to sustain suspense or offer genuine originality.

  • Sensory Experience 50

    In terms of sensory experience, the soundtrack and sound design are serviceable but rarely immersive. A handful of sequences feature effective ambient tones, yet overall audio elements lack distinctive impact. Visually, occasional stylistic frames stand out, but the film’s visual cohesion falters under inconsistent lighting and muted color schemes. The sensory palette remains largely uninspired.

  • Rewatch Factor 20

    The rewatch factor is limited by the film’s predictability and tonal inconsistencies. Subsequent viewings reveal sparse new insights, as pacing issues and contrived plot turns remain apparent. Without compelling emotional stakes or narrative depth, the film offers little incentive for repeat screenings.

Box office

The Postcard Killings Box Office

The Postcard Killings grossed $181,415 worldwide.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$181.4K

International
$181.4K
Videos

The Postcard Killings Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Postcard Killings.

Official Trailer
Cars

Cars in The Postcard Killings

28 cars on screen, including the 2016 Toyota Hilux and the 2004 Volkswagen Golf V Typ 1K.

All 28 cars
  • 2016 Toyota Hilux in The Postcard Killings 2016 Toyota Hilux Important role
  • 2004 Volkswagen Golf V Typ 1K in The Postcard Killings 2004 Volkswagen Golf V Typ 1K Important role
  • LTI TX4 in The Postcard Killings LTI TX4 Minor role
  • 2015 Mercedes-Benz Arocs in The Postcard Killings 2015 Mercedes-Benz Arocs Minor role
Details

The Postcard Killings Also Known As

24 alternative titles, including “Postais Mortíferos” and “포스트카드 킬링스”.

Also known as
  • Postais Mortíferos
  • 포스트카드 킬링스
  • 포스트카드킬링
  • Убийства по открыткам
  • Убивства з листівками
  • Kartpostal Cinayetler
  • Убийства по пощенски картички
  • 明信片謀殺案
  • Το Μοτίβο των Δολοφόνων
  • Cartoline di morte
  • רוצח הגלויות
  • 明信片杀戮
+12 more
  • 포스트카드 킬링
  • El asesino de las postales
  • A képeslap gyilkosságok, მკვლელობები საფოსტო ბარათებით
  • Bưu thiếp chết chóc
  • Sztuka zbrodni
  • Bons baisers du tueur
  • L'Art du crime
  • Pozdravy od vraha
  • Žmogžudysčių atvirukai
  • โปสต์การ์ดสั่งตาย
  • Vederi criminale
  • Els assassins de les postals

Seen The Postcard Killings?

FAQ

The Postcard Killings FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of The Postcard Killings, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Postcard Killings?

The Postcard Killings runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).

When was The Postcard Killings released?

The Postcard Killings was released on March 13, 2020.

Who directed The Postcard Killings?

The Postcard Killings was directed by Danis Tanovic.

More films by Danis Tanovic

Who is in the cast of The Postcard Killings?

The Postcard Killings stars Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Jacob Kanon, Famke Janssen as Valerie Kanon and Steven Mackintosh as Detective Inspector Rupert Pearce, among 11 credited actors.

How much did The Postcard Killings make at the box office?

The Postcard Killings grossed $181,415 worldwide.

How is The Postcard Killings rated?

The Postcard Killings has 5.8/10 on IMDb, 22% on Rotten Tomatoes, 29 on Metacritic and 64% on TMDB.

Is The Postcard Killings based on a book?

Yes. The Postcard Killings is partly adapted from The Postcard Killers by James Patterson and Liza Marklund.

Does The Postcard Killings have a post-credit scene?

No. The Postcard Killings has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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