Too much was left unexplained -- his full background, his motive, the other son mentioned right before the credits. Given the runtime of the movie, they could have easily expanded it to clear up some key points. When we finished watching, I looked this case up on Wikipedia to fill in the blanks left by the movie.
13 Reviews
Good Murder Story, But Not a Whodunit
mandagrammy11 July 2021
This is a very well acted drama about a true murder story. After researching the history behind it, I can see that they stuck closely to the facts, however I think they should have delved deeper into all the lies this murderous con man told and given us a better understanding as to how he fooled so many people. That said, it is still a compelling film and worth watching.
Decent Thriller
insideatl17 January 2020
Good movie
zdarov8 October 2020
The average rating here isn't high, I'm surprised (but few people have rated it). I caught this on Acorn TV. Tough topic, but I thought it was a really well done movie! Good actors all around. Kept me engaged from start to finish.
Maybe a problem with science
kamuela-558664 June 2023
I may hve missed something: Insulin injection sites are easy to find, even if in scalp, under fingernails or inside rectum. Also, Insulin formulary (type) not shown on vial (scientific impossibility). Only regular insulin (made by our bodies) is undetectable--Humalog, Lantus will show up on a toxicology exam--regular insulin will not as it is naturally made by our pancreas. Finally, one cannot orally consume insulin of any formulary s IT IS A (short chained) Protein THAT Is digested by stomach acids (cleaved) in a few seconds on entering GI system therein in rendering insulins SAR (structure activity relationship
noneffective in cell membrane receptors. Clearly I am at fault as Kiwi's are not mentally challenged. Can someone provide timeline tick marks in movie wherein the 3 concerns I hve take place--Thank you.
Let the punishment fit the crime
co677920 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Let the punishment fit the crime and in this case it has not in our opinion, the evil murderer in this case should of gotten what he gave his loving wife.
Very good movie, both the wife & I enjoyed it we love stories based on true events. The actors fit the parts very well.
Yes a few holes but it was crammed into 1.5 hours.
I would like to note this is listed as a series in 2010 but on Tubi its listed as a movie (2018) so it was very hard to find this post on imdb.
This is worth a watch for sure.
Very good movie, both the wife & I enjoyed it we love stories based on true events. The actors fit the parts very well.
Yes a few holes but it was crammed into 1.5 hours.
I would like to note this is listed as a series in 2010 but on Tubi its listed as a movie (2018) so it was very hard to find this post on imdb.
This is worth a watch for sure.
Sick, twisted snuff film
msghall11 April 2021
The director seems to delight in prolonging the suffering of a woman for half this film. It's really just a snuff film in guise of art. Bloodlines does have a decent second half but it can't make up for the disturbing joy the makers seem to have in inviting us to watch a slow motion murder.
Excellent film but very, very chilling
robynh-419 February 2011
Warning: Spoilers
In 2001, South African born psychiatrist Dr. Colin Bouwer was sentenced to life in prison with thirteen years non-parole for the murder of his wife, Annette. It took the jury only three hours- including an hour for lunch and a ten minute cigarette break- to sentence Dr. Bouwer, one of the fastest verdicts in New Zealand history.
"Bloodlines" takes place in Dunedin (where the Bouwer's lived) during late 1999 and early 2000, during that time Dr. Bouwer slowly poisoned Annette by lacing her food with insulin (Annette wasn't diabetic but Dr. Bouwer was able to fake prescriptions for insulin), dangerously lowering her blood sugar levels until Dr. Bouwer gave her an injection of insulin which ended her life there and then. It was only when Annette's GP, Dr. Andrew Bowers, insisted on a last minute post-mortem, and Detective Sergeant Brett Roberts, who wasn't as stupid as Dr Bouwer thought he would be, that sealed the fate of New Zealand's own "Dr. Death".
The acting in "Bloodlines" is stellar. Mark Mitchinson is fantastic as Dr. Colin Bouwer; the way he can go from being empathetic and charming one minute to terrifyingly chilling the next is a must watch. Nathalie Boltt is great as the kind but ill fated Annette. Craig Hall is also another great performance to mention; as Dr. Andrew Bowers he puts on a genuinely sympathetic performance as the doctor and family man who's dragged into Dr. Bouwer's web of lies and getting the blame for Annette's death.
With great performances all round and a sharp, clever script, "Bloodlines" is anything but your usual portrait of a killer made for TV movie.
"Bloodlines" takes place in Dunedin (where the Bouwer's lived) during late 1999 and early 2000, during that time Dr. Bouwer slowly poisoned Annette by lacing her food with insulin (Annette wasn't diabetic but Dr. Bouwer was able to fake prescriptions for insulin), dangerously lowering her blood sugar levels until Dr. Bouwer gave her an injection of insulin which ended her life there and then. It was only when Annette's GP, Dr. Andrew Bowers, insisted on a last minute post-mortem, and Detective Sergeant Brett Roberts, who wasn't as stupid as Dr Bouwer thought he would be, that sealed the fate of New Zealand's own "Dr. Death".
The acting in "Bloodlines" is stellar. Mark Mitchinson is fantastic as Dr. Colin Bouwer; the way he can go from being empathetic and charming one minute to terrifyingly chilling the next is a must watch. Nathalie Boltt is great as the kind but ill fated Annette. Craig Hall is also another great performance to mention; as Dr. Andrew Bowers he puts on a genuinely sympathetic performance as the doctor and family man who's dragged into Dr. Bouwer's web of lies and getting the blame for Annette's death.
With great performances all round and a sharp, clever script, "Bloodlines" is anything but your usual portrait of a killer made for TV movie.
Interesting
fmwongmd17 October 2018
Gave me the creeps
gailchadbourne22 September 2018
Oh Yes!
balaamdebbie19 March 2022
Definitely worth watching. The Husband was really good actor, although I knew it was him about a third of the way through. The Doctor who went to the police convinced it was the husband also really good as were the police men. I love watching based on real story films. Not a waste of my time!
Excellent true crime movie at all levels
av_m26 July 2023
This film is really well done for a true crime movie.
First the lead actor is excellent - he so deftly portrays a textbook mercurial, murderous, Narcissist - he catches every nuance of that personality profile. The supporting actors are quite good as well.
Of course this is not a true crime documentary - not all the "facts" are here - instead the screenwriter and director have cut to the core of how a horrendous thing like this evolves - horrifyingly slow and methodical.
Cinematography is also excellent - all the gray tonalities underscoring the subtlety of the outrages committed by the perpetrator.
Obviously, highly recommend this one if you're intrigued by the complex human drama of a true crime tragedy.
First the lead actor is excellent - he so deftly portrays a textbook mercurial, murderous, Narcissist - he catches every nuance of that personality profile. The supporting actors are quite good as well.
Of course this is not a true crime documentary - not all the "facts" are here - instead the screenwriter and director have cut to the core of how a horrendous thing like this evolves - horrifyingly slow and methodical.
Cinematography is also excellent - all the gray tonalities underscoring the subtlety of the outrages committed by the perpetrator.
Obviously, highly recommend this one if you're intrigued by the complex human drama of a true crime tragedy.
See also
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