Review: Murder by Numbers (2002)

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Murder by Numbers (2002) is a chilling psychological thriller that combines suspense, intellect, and moral ambiguity, creating an engaging mystery from start to finish. Directed by Barbet Schroeder, the film follows a gripping cat-and-mouse game between a seasoned detective and two brilliant but twisted high school students who have planned the perfect murder.

The plot centers around two seemingly ordinary teenagers, Richard (Ryan Gosling) and Justin (Michael Pitt), who set out to commit what they believe is the “perfect” crime, believing that their intellects put them above the law. They select a random victim and, confident that they can outsmart the police, leave a trail of evidence that is both meticulously calculated and disturbingly bold. Enter Sandra Bullock’s character, Detective Cᴀssie Mayweather, a sharp, determined investigator who, dealing with her own personal demons, is put on the case and quickly realizes she is up against far more than just two teenagers playing a game.

Ryan Gosling gives a standout performance as Richard, a cold, calculating young man with an eerie sense of superiority. He plays the character with a chilling detachment that makes you both intrigued and repelled by his intellect and manipulative behavior. Michael Pitt’s portrayal of Justin is equally impressive; he plays the role of the more vulnerable, impressionable partner, torn between loyalty to Richard and his growing doubts about their actions. The chemistry between Gosling and Pitt is palpable, with their performances creating a sense of unease that drives much of the film’s tension.

Sandra Bullock, in a role far removed from her usual fare, shines as Detective Mayweather. The character of Cᴀssie is a deeply flawed yet relatable protagonist, struggling with both her own troubled past and the complex nature of the case she is trying to solve. Bullock brings a quiet intensity to her performance, balancing vulnerability and strength in a way that makes her one of the film’s most compelling characters.

While the film’s plot unfolds at a methodical pace, the tension never lets up. The cat-and-mouse dynamic between the two students and Detective Mayweather builds steadily, with each new revelation adding another layer of complexity to the story. Schroeder’s direction keeps the audience on edge, using тιԍнт framing and sharp cuts to create a sense of claustrophobia and dread.

The film’s writing is sharp and intelligent, with many moments that will make you question just how far the characters are willing to go in their pursuit of control. The themes of intellectual superiority, moral corruption, and the consequences of manipulation are explored in a way that keeps the film thought-provoking long after the credits roll.

Visually, Murder by Numbers has a gritty, muted tone that complements its dark subject matter. The cinematography effectively captures the bleakness of the story and the oppressive atmosphere that surrounds the investigation. The score, while subtle, adds to the tension without overpowering the drama, heightening the suspense during key moments.

One of the film’s strongest elements is its exploration of the psychological underpinnings of crime. While the final twist may be predictable for some, it still packs a punch and ties the narrative together in a satisfying way. However, some viewers may find certain plot points a bit contrived, especially as the characters’ motivations come to light, but the overall experience is gripping enough to overlook these minor flaws.

In conclusion, Murder by Numbers (2002) is a tense, well-executed thriller that offers both a strong narrative and a deep dive into the psyche of its characters. With stellar performances from the cast, particularly Gosling, Pitt, and Bullock, the film keeps you guessing until the very end. Though it may not reinvent the genre, it’s a thought-provoking and chilling watch that will stay with you long after it ends.

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain

Hoxne Hoard treasures. Photo by Helen Simonsson CC by SA-2.0

November 16, 1992 was the day which changed Suffolk-resident Eric Lawes’ life in a huge way. What he thought would have been an innocent search for a hammer he had misplaced on his farm in Hoxne Village, Suffolk, England ended up bringing him much more than he had bargained for — namely, uncovering the hiding spot of a long-hidden treasure. Based on the Guardian’s coverage of the story, Eric Lawes had been previously gifted a metal detector upon his retirement as a parting token. He decided to put his retirement gift to good use in order to locate the hammer which he had had some trouble finding. According to a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article, when the device started recording that there was a strong signal coming from the earth, he knew that he was about to discover something big. As he started digging, it soon became clear to him that he had unearthed a treasure trove.

Hoxne Village. Photo by Duncan Grey CC BY-SA 2.0

The Guardian reports that, when Lawes saw that his preliminary digging had yielded a few gold coins and silver spoons, he immediately contacted both the local archaeological society and the police department. Archaeologists came to the property the following day and had the area of earth holding the treasure carefully sectioned-off and removed. Their hope was that at a later stage, in their laboratory, they could examined the items in order to identify both their age and how they were stored.

Hoxne Hoard: Display case at the British Museum showing a reconstruction of the arrangement of the hoard treasure when excavated in 1992. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

When all was said and done, close to 60 pounds of items made from silver and gold were found on the site. These included more than 15,000 Roman coins, 200 gold objects, and several silver spoons. For archaeologists, this find — which later became labeled as the Hoxne Hoard — was an incredible discovery. AP News reported that archaeologist Judith Plouviez was over-the-moon about the discovery, saying that it was “an incredibly exciting and amazing find.” What’s more, another archaeologist, Rachel Wilkinson, told Smithsonian Magazine that this discovery was “the largest and latest ever found in Britain.”

Hoxne Hoard: Coins. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Ordinarily, archaeologists would use radiocarbon dating as a means of identifying the age of ancient relics. However, they couldn’t locate any suitable material from the haul. Consequently, they determined the age by examining writing on the coins, as well as the ruler carved into them, estimating that the treasure was probably buried in either 408 or 409 AD.

The silver “Hoxne Tigress” – the broken-off handle from an unknown object – is the best known single piece out of some 15,000 in the hoard. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Roman-era archaeologist Peter Guest told Smithsonian Magazine that “if you look at them a little more carefully, then they should be dated to the period after the separation of Britain from the Roman Empire.” He offers as part of his evidence the fact that almost all of the coins found in the Hoxne Hoard were clipped – in other words, small chunks of their edges had been taken off. These clippings would have been used to create coins which were similar to the Roman coins of that era.

A silver-gilt spoon with a marine beast from the Hoxne Hoard. Currently in the British Museum. Photo by JMiall CC BY-SA 3.0

Guest has a logical reason for this, arguing that “The Roman Empire wasn’t supplying Britain with new gold and silver coins, and in light of that, the population tried to get over this sudden cutoff in the supply of their precious metals by making the existing supplies go further.”

Reconstruction of the Hoxne treasure chest. Photo by Mike Peel CC-BY-SA-4.0

Archaeologists also believe that the treasure belonged to a Romano-British family. During that time, considering that there was so much societal discord and upheaval, it was common for Romans who had settled in Britain to bury their most prized possessions.

Two gold bracelets from the Hoxne Hoard, in the British Museum. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

That said, one archaeologist is of the belief that the hoard had a lot of sentimental value for the Romano-British family to whom it is believed to have belonged. In her book The Hoxne Late Roman Treasure: Gold Jewellery and Silver Plate, Catherine Johns claims that the manner in which the treasure was kept supported this claim. Some of the items which were recovered had been packaged in small, wooden boxes which were lined with leather. What’s more, pieces of wood, locks, and nails, among other things, surrounded the gold and silver pieces. This leads Catherine to assert that the package was carefully buried and not simply chucked away in a rush.

Three silver-gilt Roman piperatoria or pepper pots from the Hoxne Hoard on display at the British Museum

Interestingly enough, the items unearthed might shed some light on the identity of the family who owned them. They cite a gold bracelet bearing the inscription “UTERE FELIX DOMINA IULIANE,” which roughly translates to “use this happily Lady Juliane”. A second name “Aurelius Ursicinus” has also been discovered. This has consequently led some to believe that Juliane and Aurelius were the couple and the original owners of the treasure. That said, that has yet to be confirmed.

Two toiletry items, one in the shape of a crane-like bird; the other with an empty socket, probably for bristles for a makeup brush. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

All in all, the discovery was a real treasure for archaeologists, and by extension, for Lawes. According to Smithsonian Magazine, in recognition of his discovery and willingness to contact authorities, the British government rewarded him with over £1.7 million, an amount which he shared with the farmer whose land was dug out in order to get the treasure. Funnily enough, apart from the treasure, Lawes also found his lost hammer — which now resides in the British Museum.