Stranger Says: While notorious serial killer Richard Ramirez (Lou Diamond Phillips) languishes on death row, an ambitious lawyer (Bellamy Young) attempts to unravel just exactly what makes him tick. Writer/director Megan Griffiths successfully captures the burbling hysteria of mid-’80s California, when every open window and slow-moving car carried a horrific potential energy. A smartly structured, admirably non-exploitive drama, anchored by a fine, scary performance from Phillips, who always remains just on the verge of chewing the scenery. (ANDREW WRIGHT)

by Andrew Wright