Interview with the Assassin (2002)

In "Interview with the Assassin" (2002), out-of-work TV cameraman Ron Kobelski is presented with an astonishing claim by his reclusive neighbor, Walter Ohlinger. Ohlinger asserts he was the infamous "second gunman" in the assassination of President Kennedy, a secret he's kept for decades but now feels compelled to reveal due to a terminal cancer diagnosis. Kobelski initially dismisses the story, finding his own investigations into Ohlinger's claims yield ambiguous results. However, his skepticism begins to erode when he starts receiving threatening messages and notices suspicious figures lurking around his home, forcing him to question whether Ohlinger is a truthful, dying man or a pawn in a much larger, more dangerous conspiracy. This film is a perfect entry on a list of "Best Neil Burger Movies" because it showcases the director's early mastery of blending suspense, conspiracy, and a grounded, relatable protagonist. Burger expertly builds tension from the very premise, drawing the audience into Kobelski's growing unease and paranoia as the stakes escalate. The film’s focus on questioning reality and the potential for hidden truths, coupled with a sense of unease about unseen forces, are hallmarks that would become even more prominent in his later, more widely acclaimed works like "The Illusionist" and "Limitless." "Interview with the Assassin" demonstrates Burger's knack for crafting thought-provoking thrillers that linger long after the credits roll, exploring complex themes through the eyes of an ordinary individual caught in extraordinary circumstances.