You’ve seen the posters. Usually, when a movie takes on Ted Bundy, it’s all about the gore or the sensationalism of the "charming" killer. But Amber Sealey’s 2021 film took a weirdly quiet, claustrophobic turn. It’s basically just two guys in a room talking. Because the movie relies so heavily on dialogue and psychological tension, the cast of No Man of God had a massive weight on their shoulders. If the chemistry didn’t click, the whole movie would have just been a boring lecture in a concrete cell.
Honestly, it’s one of the more underrated true crime films of the last few years. It focuses on the real-life transcripts of FBI analyst Bill Hagmaier’s interviews with Bundy between 1984 and 1989. You aren't watching a slasher; you’re watching a chess match.
Elijah Wood as Bill Hagmaier
Elijah Wood is fascinating here. We all know him as Frodo, obviously, but in the last decade, he’s carved out this space in indie horror and psychological thrillers that is just... cool. In this film, he plays Bill Hagmaier, one of the original "mind hunters" of the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit.
Hagmaier wasn't like the grizzled, cynical detectives you see in Seven. He was a man of faith, a family man, and someone who actually tried to listen. Wood plays him with this incredible, wide-eyed restraint. You can see Hagmaier trying to stay professional while this absolute monster tries to crawl under his skin. It's a quiet performance. Very twitchy. Very human. Wood manages to convey that Hagmaier isn't just looking for a confession—he's looking for the why, even if that search starts to cost him his own peace of mind.
Luke Kirby’s Terrifying Turn as Ted Bundy
Then there’s Luke Kirby.
People were skeptical. How many times can we watch an actor play Ted Bundy? We had Zac Efron, Mark Harmon, Chad Michael Murray. It felt like "Bundy Burnout" was real. But Kirby? He’s different. Most actors play Bundy as a cartoon villain or a suave super-spy. Kirby plays him as a man who is constantly "performing" being a human being.
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It’s unsettling.
He captures the specific cadence of Bundy’s voice—that pseudo-intellectual, slightly arrogant tone—without making it a parody. You see the desperation. By the time we get to the end of the film, which covers Bundy’s final days before his 1989 execution, Kirby shows us a man who is absolutely terrified of dying, stripping away the "legend" to show the pathetic reality underneath. If you've ever watched the actual footage of Bundy's final interview with James Dobson, the resemblance in Kirby's performance is actually kind of haunting.
The Supporting Players: Small Roles, Big Impact
While the movie is mostly a two-hander, the surrounding cast of No Man of God helps ground the story in the reality of the 1980s legal system and FBI culture.
- Robert Patrick as Roger Depue: You know him as the T-1000 from Terminator 2. Here, he’s the boss. He represents the old-school FBI—skeptical of this new "profiling" stuff but willing to give Hagmaier enough rope to either hang himself or get the results they need. He brings a much-needed gravity to the office scenes.
- Aleksa Palladino as Carolyn Lieberman: She plays a composite character representing Bundy’s legal defense. Her role is vital because it reminds the audience that while Hagmaier is building a rapport, there is a literal ticking clock. She’s sharp, exhausted, and perfectly captures the feeling of someone trying to defend the indefensible.
- W. Earl Brown as Warden Wilkerson: Brown is one of those "hey, it's that guy" actors from Deadwood. He doesn't have a lot of screen time, but he embodies the cold, bureaucratic reality of death row.
Why This Specific Ensemble Mattered
Most true crime movies fail because they romanticize the killer. They make them seem like geniuses.
This cast didn't do that.
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The direction by Amber Sealey and the script by Kit Lesser (which used actual transcripts) required actors who could handle subtext. When Wood and Kirby are sitting across from each other, the movie isn't just about the words. It's about the shifts in body language. It's about Hagmaier leaning in and then catching himself. It's about Bundy realizing he can't manipulate this specific guy the way he manipulated everyone else.
The film was shot during the pandemic, which actually worked in its favor. The tight spaces and limited cast created a genuine sense of isolation. You feel trapped in that room with them.
A Note on Factual Accuracy vs. Cinematic Flair
While the cast of No Man of God portrays real people, it’s worth noting that the film focuses on a very specific slice of history. It doesn't show the crimes. It doesn't show the victims. Some critics argued this was a "soft" way to look at a killer, but Hagmaier himself—the real Bill Hagmaier—was a consultant on the film. He has stated in multiple interviews that Wood captured his internal struggle and that Kirby’s portrayal was uncomfortably close to the man he sat across from for years.
Hagmaier and Bundy actually developed a strange bond. Bundy eventually confessed several murders to Hagmaier that he hadn't told anyone else about. He even referred to Hagmaier as his "best friend" at one point, which is a chilling thought. The movie handles this by making the relationship feel transactional. Hagmaier wants the data; Bundy wants the legacy.
How to Watch and What to Look For
If you’re going to watch No Man of God, don’t expect a high-speed chase. It’s a slow burn.
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Watch Luke Kirby’s eyes.
There’s a scene toward the end where the lighting shifts, and for a second, he stops being "charming Ted" and you see the absolute void behind the mask. It’s a masterclass in acting. Similarly, watch Elijah Wood’s posture. As the years progress in the movie's timeline, he gets heavier. Not literally, but emotionally. He carries the weight of the stories Bundy tells him.
Actionable Steps for True Crime Fans
If the performances in this film pique your interest, there are a few things you should do to get the full context:
- Listen to the real tapes: Snippets of the Hagmaier/Bundy recordings are available in various documentaries (like Conversations with a Killer). Comparing Kirby’s voice to the real Bundy is an eye-opening exercise in how an actor builds a character.
- Read Bill Hagmaier’s accounts: He has spoken extensively at Criminology conferences about the ethics of building rapport with serial offenders. It’s a fascinating look into the psychology of law enforcement.
- Check out Amber Sealey’s interviews: She has spoken about why she chose to direct this film as a woman, specifically focusing on the "male ego" involved in these interviews rather than the violence itself.
The cast of No Man of God succeeded because they didn't try to make a "cool" movie. They made a movie about the uncomfortable, messy, and ultimately sad reality of a man who destroyed lives and the man who had to listen to him talk about it. It’s a gritty, focused piece of work that stays with you long after the credits roll.
If you're looking for a deep dive into the psychological toll of criminal profiling, skip the stylized stuff. This is the one to watch.