Watching No Tears in Hell feels like flipping through the pages of a disturbingly well-written novel—one where you know the ending won’t be happy, but you can’t look away. Set in the bleak chill of an Alaskan winter and based on the horrific true story of Russian serial killer Alexander Spesivtsev, the film drips with tension, discomfort, and a grim fascination that sticks with you.
Luke Baines commands the screen in a way that’s hard to shake. His performance as Spesivtsev lands somewhere between Dexter Morgan, Joe Goldberg, and Patrick Bateman—a chilling trifecta that keeps you teetering between pity and revulsion. There’s something hypnotic about him, and even when he’s doing the unthinkable, you almost want to understand him. That inner conflict is part of what makes the film so unsettling.
The practical effects here are top-notch. The kill scenes are stripped-down but effective, with a brutal intimacy that feels too real. The sound design deserves special praise—whether it's the sawing of bone or the quiet squish of blood being wiped away, every sonic detail pulls you deeper into the nightmare. The film doesn’t glamorize violence, but it sure doesn’t shy away from it either.
Voiceovers from the killer add another layer, almost like you’re being let in on his thoughts against your will. His musings on cannibalism and control are delivered casually, which only enhances the horror. At times, it genuinely feels like you’re watching something you shouldn’t be allowed to see—like a lost tape that wasn’t meant for public consumption.
The supporting cast is a bit uneven. Some performances elevate the material, while others feel more serviceable than standout. But overall, everyone involved holds their own well enough to keep the momentum. Gwen Van Dam, in one of her final roles, gives a haunting portrayal as the enabler-mother, adding a deeply disturbing element to the dynamic.
The film does stumble in its pacing. While it starts strong and builds well, it never fully capitalizes on its own intensity, and by the end, it doesn’t really go anywhere new. It’s more of a descent than a journey—a plunge into madness with no clear resolution. That may be intentional, especially given the real-life subject matter, but it still leaves you craving just a bit more narrative payoff.
Still, the fact that No Tears in Hell is based on a true story makes it all the more horrifying. That this man was released? Absolutely chilling. It's a detail that will make viewers pause and reconsider just how close to reality this horror actually is.
Unflinching, immersive, and at times emotionally punishing, No Tears in Hell isn’t just another serial killer film—it’s a raw, grisly reminder of the evil that walks among us. You may not enjoy watching it, but you won’t forget it.
Jessie Hobson