🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Luke Ricci
- Genre: Comedy, Crime, Horror
- Release year: 2008
- Runtime (length): 1h 31min
- IMDb rating: 5.4/10 (2.2K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A charming motivational speaker decides to teach a meek video store clerk the joys of a fulfilling career in serial murder, complete with ‘ten easy lessons’ and impromptu field trips.
🍿 How to Be a Serial Killer: Detailed Plot Synopsis
An Unconventional Life Coach
The film introduces Mike Wilson, a charismatic and articulate young man who believes he has found his life’s purpose in serial killing. Presented in a mockumentary style, Mike acts as a motivational speaker, delivering ‘lessons’ on how to achieve a satisfying career through extermination. He views his ‘craft’ with enthusiasm, attempting to normalize and professionalize murder.

Bart’s Apprenticeship Begins
Mike decides to take on an apprentice, recruiting Bart, a meek and impressionable video store clerk who seems adrift in life. Under Mike’s tutelage, Bart is introduced to the ‘ethics’ of serial killing, learning techniques for victim selection, methods of killing, and corpse disposal. Their dynamic forms the core of the film, as Bart gradually becomes more involved in Mike’s dark world.

Balancing Bloodlust and Relationships
As Mike and Bart progress through their ‘curriculum,’ Mike also has to maintain his relationship with his unsuspecting girlfriend, Abigail. The film contrasts Mike’s mundane domestic life with his homicidal ‘hobby,’ creating a darkly comedic tension. Meanwhile, a psychiatrist provides interspersed, legitimate insights into the psychology of serial killers, offering a counterpoint to Mike’s delusional teachings.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Mike Wilson (Dameon Clarke): A charismatic serial killer and motivational speaker who decides to teach his deadly ‘craft’ to an apprentice.
- Bart (Matthew Gray Gubler): A meek video store clerk who becomes the reluctant and uncertain pupil of a seasoned serial killer.
- Abigail (Laura Regan): Mike Wilson’s unsuspecting girlfriend who eventually discovers the horrifying truth about his secret life.
- Dr. Goldberg (George Wyner): A psychiatrist who provides professional and legitimate insights into the nature of serial killers, contrasting Mike’s lessons.
- Narrator (Shadoe Stevens): The voiceover artist who introduces Mike Wilson’s ‘How to Be a Serial Killer’ infomercial, setting the film’s satirical tone.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Narrator: “Is it hard for you to get up in the morning? Well don’t despair, because Mike Wilson can help you.” – This line opens the film, setting up the mockumentary’s infomercial style and introducing Mike Wilson as a ‘motivational speaker’ for serial killing.
- Narrator: “Since becoming a serial killer, Mike has achieved a level of success he never thought possible. And now he’s going to share his secrets with you in this amazing life-changing seminar.” – Further establishing the film’s premise, this quote humorously frames serial killing as a path to personal fulfillment and the subject of a self-help seminar.
- Mike Wilson: “We’re going to learn the ten easy lessons on how to get more out of life by being a serial killer.” – Mike addresses the audience directly, outlining the absurd ‘curriculum’ of his seminar and the film’s central concept.
- Mike Wilson: “Perception is reality.” – This is Mike’s guiding philosophy, which he uses to justify his actions and manipulate his apprentice, Bart, into accepting his twisted worldview.
- Mike Wilson: “My goal is to help you find your purpose. And for me, that purpose is exterminating people.” – Mike explains his unique, and highly disturbing, path to fulfillment, sharing his ‘life’s purpose’ with Bart and the audience.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $2,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $899
- Worldwide Gross: $899
💥 How to Be a Serial Killer Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I went into ‘How to Be a Serial Killer’ expecting some cheesy horror, but I was totally blown away! This movie is a dark comedy masterpiece. The mockumentary style works so well, making Mike’s ‘lessons’ on murder feel like an actual infomercial, which is just brilliant. I found myself laughing at things I probably shouldn’t have, especially Mike’s enthusiastic demonstrations of ‘creative’ ways to dispatch people. The relationship between Mike and Bart is surprisingly engaging, it’s like a twisted buddy cop movie, but with way more body disposal. It gets surprisingly poignant towards the end too, which caught me off guard in the best way. Seriously, if you’re into dark humor and don’t mind pushing boundaries, you HAVE to watch this!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of dark comedy and black humor”
- “Viewers who appreciate mockumentary-style filmmaking”
- “Those interested in satirical takes on crime and psychological thrillers”
- “Fans of Matthew Gray Gubler’s work”
- “Audiences who enjoyed films like ‘Man Bites Dog'”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Strong violence and gore (though stylized)”
- “Disturbing themes related to murder and psychopathy”
- “Mature humor”
- “Language”
Professional Reviews
- The Dark Side Review: “Luke Ricci’s ‘How to Be a Serial Killer’ is a wickedly sharp mockumentary that delves into the absurdities of life and death with a surprisingly light touch. Dameon Clarke delivers a charismatic performance as Mike Wilson, a killer who’s equal parts terrifying and hilarious. Matthew Gray Gubler perfectly complements him as the timid apprentice, Bart. While the humor is dark, the film manages to be thought-provoking without sacrificing its comedic edge. A unique entry in the black comedy genre.
- Indie Film Quarterly: “‘How to Be a Serial Killer’ is a delightful surprise, blending satirical self-help rhetoric with genuinely unsettling moments. The dynamic between Clarke’s confident mentor and Gubler’s awkward protégé is the film’s strong suit, carrying the narrative through its clever twists. It embraces its dark premise with gusto, delivering laughs and discomfort in equal measure. A must-see for fans of unconventional horror-comedy.
Audience Reactions
Viewers consistently praised the unique blend of dark humor and mockumentary style.: The lead performances, particularly Dameon Clarke’s charismatic portrayal of Mike Wilson, and Matthew Gray Gubler’s nuanced Bart, are frequently lauded for their chemistry and believability. Many found the film’s originality and cleverness to be a refreshing take on the horror-comedy genre.
Overall Consensus: A cult classic in the making, ‘How to Be a Serial Killer’ is lauded for its original dark humor, engaging mockumentary style, and strong lead performances, offering a unique and often hilarious take on a morbid subject.
Awards
- NYC Horror Film Festival (Best Actor)- 2008
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film was shot using a digital, high-definition camcorder, which contributes to its mockumentary style and gives it an authentic, ‘filmed by a crew’ feel.”
- “Dameon Clarke, who plays Mike Wilson, won the Best Actor award at the NYC Horror Film Festival for his performance in the movie.”
- “Despite its dark subject matter, the film contains very little explicit gore, instead relying on black humor and stylized depictions of the killings.”
- “The character of Mike Wilson, a charismatic and articulate serial killer, has been compared by reviewers to the fictional Dexter Morgan and the real-life Ted Bundy for his polished demeanor.”
🖥️ How to Watch How to Be a Serial Killer?
While ‘How to Be a Serial Killer’ was released in 2008, its availability for streaming is primarily through rental or purchase options on major digital platforms. You can typically find it available for rent or buy on services like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, and Vudu. Check your preferred platform for current pricing and availability, as direct streaming subscriptions are less common for independent films of this vintage.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed How to Be a Serial Killer, you might like these similar films:
- Man Bites Dog (C’est arrivé près de chez vous) (1992): This Belgian mockumentary about a charming serial killer being followed by a film crew is widely considered a direct influence and shares the black humor and meta-narrative style.
- American Psycho (2000): Features a charismatic, articulate, and delusional serial killer protagonist. It shares the dark satire and psychological exploration of a disturbed mind, though not in a mockumentary format.
- Fargo (1996): A Coen Brothers classic known for its dark humor intertwined with crime and violence, offering a similar blend of the absurd and the sinister that fans of ‘How to Be a Serial Killer’ might appreciate.
- Spree (2020): A modern mockumentary that similarly focuses on a protagonist desperate for viral fame who resorts to murder, showcasing a contemporary take on the ‘killer as influencer’ theme.
- Seven Psychopaths (2012): This film offers a quirky, meta-narrative approach to crime and killers, filled with dark humor and eccentric characters, appealing to those who enjoy the off-beat comedic tone.
🛒 How to Be a Serial Killer Related Products
- How to Be a Serial Killer (DVD/Blu-ray): Own the darkly humorous and critically acclaimed film ‘How to Be a Serial Killer’ on DVD or Blu-ray. Features behind-the-scenes content, director’s commentary, and deleted scenes. Perfect for rewatching the lessons!
- The ‘Mike Wilson’ Motivational Speaker Kit: A satirical collector’s item, this kit includes a replica ‘Ten Easy Lessons’ booklet, a mock ‘Certificate of Completion’ for aspiring pupils, and a miniature, non-functional camcorder prop. All packaged in a slick, ‘self-help seminar’ style box.
- Video Store Clerk’s Survival Guide (Graphic Novel): An original graphic novel inspired by Bart’s character, detailing his ‘adventures’ before meeting Mike Wilson and perhaps a few after. Explores the quirky world of the video store and early 2000s pop culture with a dark comedic twist.
- Motivational Mike Wilson ‘Kill Your Day Job’ T-Shirt: A stylish, black T-shirt featuring a minimalist design of Mike Wilson with the satirical slogan ‘Kill Your Day Job. Embrace Your Calling.’ Made from soft, comfortable cotton.
🎧 Soundtrack
How to Be a Serial Killer features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Ten Easy Lessons (Opening Theme)” – performed by Original Score by Douglas Dickerman
- “The Art of Disposal” – performed by Original Score by Douglas Dickerman
- “Abigail’s Song (Reprise)” – performed by Traditional Gospel Arrangement
- “A Killer’s Curriculum” – performed by Original Score by Douglas Dickerman
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
No, ‘How to Be a Serial Killer’ is a fictional dark comedy that uses a mockumentary style to satirize motivational speaking and the serial killer genre. It is not based on any true events or individuals.
‘How to Be a Serial Killer’ is primarily a dark comedy and crime film, with elements of horror. It uses a mockumentary format to deliver its satirical humor.
The main actors in ‘How to Be a Serial Killer’ are Dameon Clarke as Mike Wilson and Matthew Gray Gubler as Bart. Laura Regan also stars as Abigail.
The movie is rated 18, indicating mature content, violence, and disturbing themes. It is intended for adult audiences.
‘How to Be a Serial Killer’ was filmed in the United States, specifically at Blue Cloud Movie Ranch in Santa Clarita, California.
🔥 Bonus Content
“You Can Run, But You Can’t Hide.”
This super viral short, while brief, perfectly encapsulates that chilling feeling of inescapable dread, much like the Losers’ Club experienced with Pennywise. It’s a quick burst of suspense that’s hard to shake!
Mask man The serial killer 😈👨⚖️ || Smithbatham || #smithbatham #shorts #school #suspense
Dive into another quick suspenseful ride with this popular short! It introduces a ‘mask man’ serial killer, giving you a taste of the kind of relentless fear you’d find lurking in the shadows of Derry.
WHEN A SERIAL KILLER CATCHES YOU !
Ever wonder what it’s like when the hunter becomes the hunted? This intense short puts you right in that terrifying moment of confrontation with a serial killer, making you feel the very real fear reminiscent of It’s pursuit!
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