Independent Films, Film Profiles

Twisted (2004 film)
by Philip Kaufman

Twisted is a 2004 American thriller film written by Sarah Thorp and directed by Philip Kaufman. It stars Ashley Judd, Samuel L. Jackson and Andy Garcia. The film is set in San Francisco, California.Having solved a high profile case involving a serial killer, Jessica Shepard (Ashley Judd) is a rising officer on the San Francisco police force. She is transferred to the Homicide division and promoted to the rank of Inspector.Her deceased father's former partner, John Mills (Samuel L Jackson), serves as her proud mentor. The recently promoted Jessica finds that she might once again have to prove herself in a department that takes no prisoners.When one of her many former one night stands falls prey to murder, she and her new partner, Mike Delmarco (Andy Garcia) are assigned to the case. Shepard, who also has a drinking problem, soon falls under suspicion. Three more murders follow, all of whom she has had relationships with.Shepard begins to experience a mental breakdown. Increasing blacking out for long periods of time. Her father, a police patrolman, had gone on a killing spree back in the 1970s and then murdered her mother. She begins to fear she has the same violent tendencies, and that she has been committing murder in her disorganised state.With only her mentor's support she must find the perpetrator and clear her name, before she becomes the murderer's next victim.