Article author: Alwyn Ash
Child actor turns adult entertainer in a psycho-thriller written by Jeff Hammond.
For those who say Lindsey Lohan cannot act, I would almost be prepared to agree. However, there have been a small number of movies that have shown Lohan in a better light, and those are the moments when this actress shines best, given the right script and opportunity to put her skills into action. And, of course, when her colourful private life doesn't get in the way to distract from what really matters...
Known for her Disney connection (The Parent Trap, Herbie: Fully Loaded etc.), "I Know Who Killed Me" isn't the best film going, not when compared to far more maturer and meatier psychological hits like "Silence of the Lambs" (1991), "Orphan" (2009), and "Saw" (2004), but that is not to say that Chris Sivertson's second directorial doesn't hit the mark in some places. For a movie that received eight Golden Raspberry Awards, there is much going on in a feature that handles its plot like a wet fish - slippery logic.
The plot focuses on a serial killer, who kidnaps and tortures his young female victims. Lohan plays pretty Aubrey Fleming, a pianist and aspiring writer, who disappears during a night out. She undergoes the same torture. Later, however, she is discovered, unconscious and missing limbs. This is where everything changes, for now Aubrey claims to be Dakota Moss, a stripper. She certainly doesn't seem to recognise her "parents", the boyfriend or anything remotely relating to Aubrey's life.
Shock perhaps, resulting from the severe torture received at the hands of a maniac? No. As the film progresses we soon discover that Dakota believes she is a twin - to that of Aubrey. This alone does not explain how Dakota has received the wounds inflicted, until we realise that these two young women are Stigmatic Twins, who, due to a psychic connection, share similar experiences, including pain and injuries; this also explains why Aubrey has been writing a story about a girl called "Dakota".
As Dakota explains how she lost the use of her limbs, I did manage to find the loss of her finger particular strange - indeed, her reaction to this horrifying event seemed somewhat... I would say "underplayed", but quite frankly Lohan's delivery did leave a lot to be desired - she acted like it was more of a bloody inconvenience than a serious devastating loss! Still, that aside, the use of the "stigmatic" link was an intriguing plot device. As the story progresses, we learn that twins Aubrey and Dakota were born to crack addict Virginia Sue Moss. When Susan Fleming's newborn dies in the incubator, her husband Daniel makes a deal with Virginia and one of the twins is raised by both him and his wife - the latter, however, remains unaware of either her baby's death at the hospital or the swap, believing Aubrey to be her child.
Seeing as Aubrey has been missing since near the start of the movie, it is Dakota's duty to investigate and find her sister. It is a mystery as to why she is able to work out the serial killer's identity when the police cannot, given access to the same evidence. Still, where would we be if everything was wrapped up too quickly and neatly by a law enforcement agency? Lohan certainly isn't a strong actress, neither are her films memorable enough to be classics. But it is interesting to see her act "adult". This feature was clearly Lohan's attempt to shrug off her Disney image and show fans that she had matured enough to try something new. And, in part, it works fine.
If you are unfamiliar with Lohan's career then it is interesting to point out that the actress had played twin sisters once before, in the 1998 comedy "The Parent Trap". Based on the 1949 novel "Lottie and Lisa" by German author Erich Kästner (and serving as a remake of the 1961 Walt Disney film starring English actress Hayley Mills), the story focused on 11-year-old sisters Hallie Parker and Annie James who, separated at birth, accidentally meet at summer camp. In all honesty I prefer Lohan's version to the original 1961 feature.
"I Know Who Killed Me" certainly has taken some inspiration from several other movies, including "Saw". For those who are a little squeamish, stay clear of the madness and watch something less disturbing. However, gore fans will enjoy this, if they can accept Lohan's limitations and not get too distracted by the plot holes. Even with 2013 American erotic thriller "The Canyons" under her belt, and a portrayal of iconic film star Elizabeth Taylor in 2012 television film "Liz & Dick", one does wonder if Lohan can ever rediscover the success of her Disney days.
Purchase I Know Who Killed Me from the Store:
DVD - Running time: 105 minutes
