The Jigsaw Murders

In the movie The Jigsaw Murders from 1989, Chad Everett stars as Detective Sergeant Joseph DaVinci, a seasoned Los Angeles police officer investigating a serial killer who is systematically dismantling his victims piece by piece.

As the body count rises, DaVinci works tirelessly to piece together the fractured clues and find the elusive killer before they strike again. He is aided by his partner, Detective Sergeant Frank Spota (Michael Sabatino), and by a young graduate student named Laurie (Michelle Johnson) who is studying criminal psychology and becomes a valuable member of the investigative team.

The killer, who remains anonymous throughout the film, is meticulous in their methods and leaves little evidence behind. They seem to be fixated on the process of taking apart their victims rather than the actual killing, leading the detectives on a series of macabre and unsettling discoveries as they try to unravel the puzzle before it's too late.

As the investigation deepens, DaVinci grapples with personal demons and hidden motives that threaten to unravel his own sanity. Meanwhile, Laurie becomes increasingly drawn to the case and the killer's twisted psyche, even as she struggles to remain objective and professional.

The Jigsaw Murders is a taut psychological thriller that keeps the viewer on edge with its dark twists and turns. Director Jag Mundhra (who also co-wrote the script) creates a grim and foreboding atmosphere that is both unsettling and mesmerizing, building tension with each successive murder.

Chad Everett delivers a strong performance as the troubled but dedicated detective at the center of the story, and his chemistry with Michael Sabatino's more easygoing character provides a welcome counterpoint to the mounting dread. Michelle Johnson is also excellent as the bright and ambitious Laurie, adding a fresh perspective to the familiar genre tropes.

The Jigsaw Murders draws inspiration from classic film noir and the post-modern crime dramas of the 1980s, but it remains a unique and engaging thriller that holds up well today. It's a testament to the enduring appeal of the whodunit, and to the human fascination with the darkest corners of the human psyche.