Freeway Killer (2010 film)
Encyclopedia
Freeway Killer is a 2010 horror film directed by John Morlowski and written by David Birke starring Scott Anthony Leet, Cole Williams
, Dusty Sorg, Michael Rooker
, Debbon Ayer, and Eileen Dietz
. The film is based on true events and follows the horrifying story of serial killer William Bonin
, one of three killers who claimed several victims on the freeways of California, USA in the 1970s
and 1980s
. The film was released by Image Entertainment
on February 16, 2010.
(Scott Anthony Leet) recollects his error of ways to Ruth Slobod (Debbon Ayer) who is grieving for closure over the loss of her son who encountered the killer on one unfortunate day. During the first hitchhike of the film, Bonin invites two hitchhikers for a ride in his Chevy van, offering a smoke and using his charming and kind web of deceit to lure trust from his targets. He only murders one young man and reveals an alliance with accomplice Vernon Butts (Dusty Sorg). The two are later shown to have some sort of a strained relationship.
Soon, Bonin stalks Kyle Peterson (Cole Williams
), a timid teenager who works for a strict boss at a local shop. He is able to make a connection with Kyle through commonalities such as parenthood, loneliness, and an immoral mindset. Initially planning to kill him, Bonin offers that they bond to take what they want. Bonin begins to harden him as a young man by getting him to boldly blow his date off with his bully girlfriend, Lisa.
Bonin has him meet his aspiring wizard accomplice, Vernon Butts, and is introduced to a world of crime when they show him their "family album" of murders. Taking him under his wing, Bonin persuades Kyle into adopting a different perspective and introduces him to drugs. After his first kill, Kyle finds himself and the world around him changing. Meanwhile, Butts starts to get jealous when he takes a backseat to Bonin's and Kyle's new friendship. Looking for more associates, Bonin embarks on a hunt for more young males, a specific demographic he explains to Kyle that he has a thing for, hinting at his homosexuality.
Later, Bonin visits his alcoholic mother (Eileen Dietz
) who is lonely and facing demons after parting with a lover and his father, against whom she holds contempt. She also regrets leaving Bonin and thinks he should hate her. That night, Butts grows agitated with the mockery he has become between Kyle and Bonin. In retribution, he reveals a dirty homosexual exploit of Bonin from his time in the U.S Air Force. Butts states that Bonin has a sickness that makes him think he controls the world and this sends Bonin into a frenzy. Later that night, when Butts harms himself, Bonin inevitably reconnects with Butts and after Kyle sees this, he distances himself from the two of them. Bonin tries to contact Kyle who won't answer his phone.
The next day, Bonin's inner demons further prevail and he kills two more victims on the freeway. He searches for more accomplices and soon recruits William Pugh (Thomas Curtis
). This is short-lived after he kills another young victim and Pugh quickly flees. Bonin looks for Pugh at his house only to discover from his father (James Babson
) that his name is actually Billy and he is in police custody for trying to steal a car. Bonin also learns that police are onto the freeway killer and spots a mysterious car observing him while listening to the news reports via radio.
He makes a stop at a newsstand to pick up the Orange County Register newspaper and fascinates himself with an older man, suspecting he is an officer. Bonin, frustrated, returns home and finds the same mysterious car is stalking his home. He tries to contact Butts, but he won’t pick up. Bonin accosts Kyle at night after his work shift and attempts to convince him to throw off police by committing a murder and they would be done with the whole thing. Kyle, however, declines and takes off with Lisa in his newly bought car.
While driving, Bonin becomes aware of a car following him, but still picks up a young teen. Ultimately having a nervous breakdown, Bonin startles his victim into departing his vehicle, but Bonin stops him and strangles him with a tire iron and his victim's own t-shirt. Shortly after, a rescue team arrives on the scene to arrest Bonin and as Bonin is moving towards the police cruiser, he realizes that Detective St. John (Michael Rooker
), whom he saw at the newsstand, was the one watching him after all. Officers also track down and arrest Kyle. In the interrogation room, Bonin admits to Detective St. John that he was mostly a loner. By revelation from his former accomplices, including Butts who hung himself upon incarceration, Bonin is accused of committing the most murders. Also, his psychiatric profile disclosed by the detective explains his juvenile history of abuse and negligence from his pedophile grandfather and alcoholic mother.
Reverting back to the outset of the film, Ruth suspects she is being played for company and that Bonin is actually clueless of her son. But before she takes off, he elaborately describes his time with her son before he was killed. Bonin makes up a story about killing Ruth's son as Kyle had actually stabbed him at Bonin's insistence. Ruth vows to witness his death, and while carrying a photo of her son and amongst a group of mourners, she watches Bonin succumb to lethal injection with justice as well as partial guilt.
on February 16, 2010.
Cole Williams
Cole Williams is an American film and TV actor. He has been in such diverse films as North Country, and Harry + Max . He also had a recurring role as Anthony W...
, Dusty Sorg, Michael Rooker
Michael Rooker
Michael Rooker is an American actor.-Early life:Rooker, who has eight brothers and sisters, was born in Jasper, Alabama and studied at the Goodman School of Drama in Chicago, where he moved with his mother and siblings at the age of thirteen, after his parents divorced.-Movie career:He made his...
, Debbon Ayer, and Eileen Dietz
Eileen Dietz
Eileen Dietz is an American actress who is best known for her appearances in many horror films such as the face of the demon in The Exorcist and for her portrayal of characters on the soap operas Guiding Light and General Hospital.- Early life and career :As a child, Dietz appeared in commercials...
. The film is based on true events and follows the horrifying story of serial killer William Bonin
William Bonin
William George Bonin was an American serial killer and a twice-paroled sex offender, also known as the Freeway Killer, a nickname he shares with two other serial killers. Between 1979 and 1980, Bonin tortured, raped and killed a minimum of 21 boys and young men, and is suspected of committing a...
, one of three killers who claimed several victims on the freeways of California, USA in the 1970s
1970s
File:1970s decade montage.png|From left, clockwise: US President Richard Nixon doing the V for Victory sign after his resignation from office after the Watergate scandal in 1974; Refugees aboard a US naval boat after the Fall of Saigon, leading to the end of the Vietnam War in 1975; The 1973 oil...
and 1980s
1980s
File:1980s decade montage.png|thumb|400px|From left, clockwise: The first Space Shuttle, Columbia, lifted off in 1981; American President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev eased tensions between the two superpowers, leading to the end of the Cold War; The Fall of the Berlin Wall in...
. The film was released by Image Entertainment
Image Entertainment
Image Entertainment, Inc. is an independent licensee, producer and distributor of home entertainment programming and film & television productions in North America, with approximately 3,000 exclusive DVD titles and approximately 250 exclusive CD titles in domestic release, and approximately 450...
on February 16, 2010.
Plot
Set between 1979 and 1980, the notorious Californian freeway killer, now apprehended by police, William BoninWilliam Bonin
William George Bonin was an American serial killer and a twice-paroled sex offender, also known as the Freeway Killer, a nickname he shares with two other serial killers. Between 1979 and 1980, Bonin tortured, raped and killed a minimum of 21 boys and young men, and is suspected of committing a...
(Scott Anthony Leet) recollects his error of ways to Ruth Slobod (Debbon Ayer) who is grieving for closure over the loss of her son who encountered the killer on one unfortunate day. During the first hitchhike of the film, Bonin invites two hitchhikers for a ride in his Chevy van, offering a smoke and using his charming and kind web of deceit to lure trust from his targets. He only murders one young man and reveals an alliance with accomplice Vernon Butts (Dusty Sorg). The two are later shown to have some sort of a strained relationship.
Soon, Bonin stalks Kyle Peterson (Cole Williams
Cole Williams
Cole Williams is an American film and TV actor. He has been in such diverse films as North Country, and Harry + Max . He also had a recurring role as Anthony W...
), a timid teenager who works for a strict boss at a local shop. He is able to make a connection with Kyle through commonalities such as parenthood, loneliness, and an immoral mindset. Initially planning to kill him, Bonin offers that they bond to take what they want. Bonin begins to harden him as a young man by getting him to boldly blow his date off with his bully girlfriend, Lisa.
Bonin has him meet his aspiring wizard accomplice, Vernon Butts, and is introduced to a world of crime when they show him their "family album" of murders. Taking him under his wing, Bonin persuades Kyle into adopting a different perspective and introduces him to drugs. After his first kill, Kyle finds himself and the world around him changing. Meanwhile, Butts starts to get jealous when he takes a backseat to Bonin's and Kyle's new friendship. Looking for more associates, Bonin embarks on a hunt for more young males, a specific demographic he explains to Kyle that he has a thing for, hinting at his homosexuality.
Later, Bonin visits his alcoholic mother (Eileen Dietz
Eileen Dietz
Eileen Dietz is an American actress who is best known for her appearances in many horror films such as the face of the demon in The Exorcist and for her portrayal of characters on the soap operas Guiding Light and General Hospital.- Early life and career :As a child, Dietz appeared in commercials...
) who is lonely and facing demons after parting with a lover and his father, against whom she holds contempt. She also regrets leaving Bonin and thinks he should hate her. That night, Butts grows agitated with the mockery he has become between Kyle and Bonin. In retribution, he reveals a dirty homosexual exploit of Bonin from his time in the U.S Air Force. Butts states that Bonin has a sickness that makes him think he controls the world and this sends Bonin into a frenzy. Later that night, when Butts harms himself, Bonin inevitably reconnects with Butts and after Kyle sees this, he distances himself from the two of them. Bonin tries to contact Kyle who won't answer his phone.
The next day, Bonin's inner demons further prevail and he kills two more victims on the freeway. He searches for more accomplices and soon recruits William Pugh (Thomas Curtis
Thomas Curtis (actor)
Thomas Wayne Curtis is an American actor. Curtis has starred in The Cactus Kid, Sweet Home Alabama, Red Dragon and The Chumscrubber. He also act in Hansel & Gretel and North Country - along with Oscar winner: Charlize Theron...
). This is short-lived after he kills another young victim and Pugh quickly flees. Bonin looks for Pugh at his house only to discover from his father (James Babson
James Babson
James Babson is an American actor who studied at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Drama. Notable screen appearances include the roles of Rudolf Hess in Hitler: The Rise of Evil and Agent Moss in Hellboy.-External links:*...
) that his name is actually Billy and he is in police custody for trying to steal a car. Bonin also learns that police are onto the freeway killer and spots a mysterious car observing him while listening to the news reports via radio.
He makes a stop at a newsstand to pick up the Orange County Register newspaper and fascinates himself with an older man, suspecting he is an officer. Bonin, frustrated, returns home and finds the same mysterious car is stalking his home. He tries to contact Butts, but he won’t pick up. Bonin accosts Kyle at night after his work shift and attempts to convince him to throw off police by committing a murder and they would be done with the whole thing. Kyle, however, declines and takes off with Lisa in his newly bought car.
While driving, Bonin becomes aware of a car following him, but still picks up a young teen. Ultimately having a nervous breakdown, Bonin startles his victim into departing his vehicle, but Bonin stops him and strangles him with a tire iron and his victim's own t-shirt. Shortly after, a rescue team arrives on the scene to arrest Bonin and as Bonin is moving towards the police cruiser, he realizes that Detective St. John (Michael Rooker
Michael Rooker
Michael Rooker is an American actor.-Early life:Rooker, who has eight brothers and sisters, was born in Jasper, Alabama and studied at the Goodman School of Drama in Chicago, where he moved with his mother and siblings at the age of thirteen, after his parents divorced.-Movie career:He made his...
), whom he saw at the newsstand, was the one watching him after all. Officers also track down and arrest Kyle. In the interrogation room, Bonin admits to Detective St. John that he was mostly a loner. By revelation from his former accomplices, including Butts who hung himself upon incarceration, Bonin is accused of committing the most murders. Also, his psychiatric profile disclosed by the detective explains his juvenile history of abuse and negligence from his pedophile grandfather and alcoholic mother.
Reverting back to the outset of the film, Ruth suspects she is being played for company and that Bonin is actually clueless of her son. But before she takes off, he elaborately describes his time with her son before he was killed. Bonin makes up a story about killing Ruth's son as Kyle had actually stabbed him at Bonin's insistence. Ruth vows to witness his death, and while carrying a photo of her son and amongst a group of mourners, she watches Bonin succumb to lethal injection with justice as well as partial guilt.
Cast
- Scott Anthony Leet as William BoninWilliam BoninWilliam George Bonin was an American serial killer and a twice-paroled sex offender, also known as the Freeway Killer, a nickname he shares with two other serial killers. Between 1979 and 1980, Bonin tortured, raped and killed a minimum of 21 boys and young men, and is suspected of committing a...
- Dusty Sorg as Vernon Butts
- Cole WilliamsCole WilliamsCole Williams is an American film and TV actor. He has been in such diverse films as North Country, and Harry + Max . He also had a recurring role as Anthony W...
as Kyle Peterson - Debbon Ayer as Ruth Slobod
- Michael RookerMichael RookerMichael Rooker is an American actor.-Early life:Rooker, who has eight brothers and sisters, was born in Jasper, Alabama and studied at the Goodman School of Drama in Chicago, where he moved with his mother and siblings at the age of thirteen, after his parents divorced.-Movie career:He made his...
as Detective St. John - Eileen DietzEileen DietzEileen Dietz is an American actress who is best known for her appearances in many horror films such as the face of the demon in The Exorcist and for her portrayal of characters on the soap operas Guiding Light and General Hospital.- Early life and career :As a child, Dietz appeared in commercials...
as Bonin's mother
Release
The film was released on DVD, Digital Video, and Blu-ray by Image EntertainmentImage Entertainment
Image Entertainment, Inc. is an independent licensee, producer and distributor of home entertainment programming and film & television productions in North America, with approximately 3,000 exclusive DVD titles and approximately 250 exclusive CD titles in domestic release, and approximately 450...
on February 16, 2010.