“The Postcard Killings” is a mystery crime movie from 2020. It is based on a book by James Patterson and Liza Marklund. The film follows a detective named Jacob Kanon, played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan. He is trying to solve a series of terrible murders that are happening across different countries in Europe. A very strange thing about these killings is that before each murder, the killer sends postcards to the loved ones of the victims. This creepy detail leads Jacob Kanon on a long journey to find out who the killer is and why they are doing this.
As the story unfolds, the audience meets different characters, follows false clues, and faces unexpected twists. The postcards are the only clue that links all the murders together. As the movie goes on, many questions about the killer’s identity and their reason for killing grow. These questions make the ending of the movie very important for understanding the full story.
The Postcard Killings Plot Overview
The movie starts with the shocking murder of a young couple in a foreign city. Before the killer takes their lives, they send a postcard to the couple’s family and friends. This postcard leads the police to believe that the killer is playing with the victims and law enforcement. Jacob Kanon, a detective who has a personal connection to the case, works hard to find the person behind these murders.
As Kanon’s investigation continues, he follows the killer’s trail across Europe. He teams up with a journalist named Dessie, who also wants to know more about the case. Together, they find a pattern in the killings. The killer only targets couples and sends postcards before each murder. Each postcard has a different picture, usually of a scenic place, and it also contains a short, mysterious message.
Even though they try hard, Kanon and Dessie cannot find any solid leads. As they investigate further, they start to uncover frightening facts about the killer’s past and the twisted reasons behind their actions. The search for the killer takes many turns, and it eventually leads to a shocking final encounter.
Who is the Killer in “The Postcard Killings”?
As the story moves forward, the killer is finally revealed. His name is Victor. On the outside, he seems like a normal person, but he has been hiding his true identity for a long time. At first, it seems like the killer could be anyone – a random person, someone who knows the victims very well, or even someone who works in the police. The investigation is full of surprises, which makes it even more interesting for the audience.
Victor is not just a random killer, though. He has a clear reason behind what he does, and the postcards are not just a way for him to scare or challenge the victims. Instead, they are his way of expressing his strange feelings and beliefs. Each postcard shows a picture of a different city, the place where the murder happens. This makes the investigation even more complicated. The postcards reflect how Victor sees the world, and they give clues to his twisted thinking.
The Role of Jacob Kanon
Jacob Kanon, played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan, is the main character in the film. He is a detective who has a personal connection to the case, as his own daughter was one of the first victims of the killer. This loss makes Kanon even more determined to find the person responsible for these crimes. Because of his personal connection, Kanon gets deeply involved in the case. His strong feelings sometimes make it hard for him to think clearly, and his obsession with solving the case makes him take risks.
Throughout the film, the audience sees how Kanon struggles with the sadness of losing his daughter. His grief affects how he acts and makes his journey to find the killer even more emotional. His character helps the viewers understand how difficult it can be to work on a case like this, especially when personal feelings are involved. Kanon’s strong emotions make his actions and choices more relatable for the audience.
The movie shows how Kanon’s grief pushes him to take actions that might not always be the best. His personal pain makes him act in ways that are not always rational, but they also make his mission to catch the killer even more intense and meaningful.
The Motive Behind the Postcards
As the investigation continues, Kanon and Dessie start to understand the strange reasons behind the killer’s actions. Victor, the killer, has a deeply disturbed view of the world. He doesn’t kill just for fun. Each postcard he sends is part of his larger way of thinking. The postcards reflect his thoughts about life and death, and they show his twisted ideas of justice.
In Victor’s mind, the couples he kills deserve to die. He believes that he is helping them by giving them an escape from the pain they feel in their lives. To him, death is a way for them to be freed. The postcards are not just meant to scare the victims or their families. Instead, they are a way for Victor to share his strange philosophy with the world.
As Kanon and Dessie look deeper into Victor’s past, they learn that he had a very tough childhood. He went through a lot of pain and suffering when he was young. This bad experience shaped the way he sees the world. His painful past makes him dangerous, and his killings become a way for him to express his anger and hurt.
The Final Confrontation
The final confrontation happens near the end of the movie, where Jacob Kanon finally faces Victor. By this point, Kanon and Dessie have found the place where Victor is hiding. The audience is unsure about whether Kanon will be able to catch Victor or not. As the two men come closer to each other, the tension in the movie keeps building.
During the confrontation, Kanon has to deal not only with Victor but also with his own feelings of loss. He has to decide how far he is willing to go to stop the killer and get revenge for his daughter’s death. This scene is emotional because Kanon’s sadness becomes a big part of what happens. The film explores whether revenge can really make a person feel better or if it only causes more pain.
The final moments of the confrontation are very intense, and the resolution surprises the audience. Kanon’s actions in the end show how much pain he has been through. This emotional journey makes the final moments of the film meaningful. Even though the story reaches its end, the images of the postcards and the murders stay in the audience’s minds.
The Ending Explained: What Happens to Victor?
The film ends with a twist that leaves some questions unanswered. The investigation into the postcards and the murders seems to have come to an end, but there is still some mystery about Victor’s true nature and why he did all of this. The film reveals his past, but it is clear that there is more to his actions than what is shown. The psychology behind Victor’s crimes is very complicated.
The final fate of Victor is left unclear, so the audience can interpret what happens next in different ways. Some may think that his death was the right thing, while others may wonder if justice was really done. The uncertainty about Victor’s final moments makes the ending more interesting and leaves the audience thinking about the killer’s mind.
In the last scenes, Jacob Kanon reflects on everything he has gone through during the investigation. The film does not give him full closure for the grief he feels. This open ending helps show that some feelings of loss are never fully resolved. It reflects the reality that many people never fully get over their pain after losing someone they love. This ending is fitting for a film that looks at how people deal with grief, justice, and the challenges of life.
What Makes “The Postcard Killings” Different from Other Crime Thrillers?
“The Postcard Killings” stands out from other crime movies because of its unique idea. While many crime films focus on detectives trying to catch a killer, this movie also looks at the emotional journey of the investigator. Jacob Kanon’s personal connection to the case makes the story more than just a simple mystery. It adds depth to the plot and makes it more powerful.
The postcards in the movie add a spooky feeling. They are not only clues that move the investigation forward but also show the killer’s twisted view of the world. The postcards make this film feel different from other crime thrillers. They are a signature of the killer and make the story feel fresh.
The film’s pacing also keeps the audience interested, with many twists and surprises. Even though the ending leaves some things unanswered, it still provides enough closure for the audience to feel satisfied. “The Postcard Killings” does a good job of mixing emotional moments with exciting mystery. It gives the viewers something to think about long after they have finished watching.