Nearly two decades after Dexter first hit screens, audiences are still fascinated by the story of a man balancing normal life with dark urges. Dexter: Resurrection has reminded fans why the premise of a charming yet dangerous antihero remains so compelling. If you’re drawn to that kind of story, Kevin Costner’s 2007 thriller Mr. Brooks is worth a look.
Like Dexter Morgan, Earl Brooks (Costner) leads a double life. By day, he’s a respected businessman; by night, he’s a killer known as the Thumbprint Killer. What sets Brooks apart is how his “dark passenger” is externalized through William Hurt’s character, Marshall, who constantly urges him to indulge his deadly compulsions. Their conversations make Brooks’ inner struggles feel immediate and tense, turning psychological conflict into something chillingly physical.
The cast strengthens the tension even more. Costner balances elegance with menace, while Hurt brings a relentless, serpentine presence. Demi Moore plays a smart, determined detective chasing Brooks, and Dane Cook adds unpredictable chaos as an amateur voyeur blackmailing him. Director Bruce A. Evans ensures that the ensemble work makes the story gripping rather than formulaic, giving weight to what could have been a standard thriller.
Where Mr. Brooks really stands out is its dark perspective. Unlike early Dexter seasons, which mix horror with irony and dark humor, Mr. Brooks leans into bleakness. It explores how wealth and influence can hide monstrous behavior, showing Brooks’ private rituals with disturbing intimacy. There’s no moral safety net, leaving the audience unsettled and forcing them to confront a world that enables predators.
For fans of Dexter, Mr. Brooks offers a different, darker angle on the antihero story—a thrilling, unsettling ride into the mind of a man who appears civilized but hides deadly urges beneath the surface.
