Capturing the Killer Nurse

Movie review by Barbara Shulgasser-Parker, Common Sense Media
Capturing the Killer Nurse Movie

Common Sense says

age 15+

Nurse murders covered-up for years; language, violence.

NR 2022 94 minutes
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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Capturing the Killer Nurse is a British documentary about a nurse who, starting in the early 2000s, used stolen medications to kill hospital patients for years, some estimate as many as 400 people, while hospital administrators swept the evidence under the rug. To avoid lawsuits and notoriety, they sent him off with references to work at other hospitals, where the killing continued. Two detectives with a conscience and one former nurse help catch him. He murdered people by injecting them with insulin, spiking saline bags with insulin, and using high doses of the heart drug digoxin. Language includes "f--k," "s--t," "damn," and "bitch."

What's the Story?

CAPTURING THE KILLER NURSE tells the story of Charles Cullen, a well-regarded nurse who some experts believe murdered some 400 patients. Although coworkers suspected his misdeeds, they were ignored by hospital administrators who engaged in cover-ups, prioritizing the health of their bottom lines above those of their patients. In some cases, the police dropped the ball when evidence was hard to come by. The takeaway is that a mentally impaired person was permitted to steal and use medications to kill many patients over many years, but hospitals were unwilling to do more than fire him and send him on to the next hospital, where he'd do the same to other innocent patients.

Is It Any Good?

Capturing the Killer Nurse is shot in a typical true-crime documentary style, complete with talking heads, dramatic reenactments, and creepy-tense music to set the mood. But unlike many true crime documentaries, this one has a story that rivals great fiction whodunnits. Most remarkable is the effort made by a fellow nurse and friend who managed to get past her feelings of protectiveness of the killer to help the police catch him. The movie, and the book it's based on, indict the hospital administrations. One hospital risk-management executive hid and lied about evidence. A CEO is heard telling outright lies, claiming his people investigated Cullen thoroughly when they didn't. Only the nurse went to jail.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what the arguments against for-profit health care might be in light of this story.

  • What other trusted businesses and corporate entities does this movie make you think might put their bottom lines above the health and safety of the public?

  • A suspicious coworker came forward with accusations that Cullen was killing people but she was told there was nothing to her accusations and that she should drop her concerns. Why do you think whistleblowers are often reluctant to come forward when they see wrongdoing?

Movie Details

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