Society exacted its revenge, resulting in the deaths of innocent people. Amsterdamned comes from writer and director Dick Maas, who also composed the musical score. The film features Huub Stapel, Monique van de Ven, Serge-Henri Valcke, Hidde Maas, Wim Zomer, and Tanneke Hartzuiker, with cinematography by Marc Felperlaan. Hard-boiled police detective Eric Visser, portrayed by Stapel, pursues a disturbing serial killer who is terrorizing the canals of Amsterdam—apparently emerging from the water itself. If you were to list all the genres this film pays tribute to, it would take quite some time, and any attempt to classify it as one specific type of movie would be misguided. The strength of Maas’s film lies in its successful combination of various cinematic elements, including some genuinely funny dialogue amidst the suspense and violence. The unique premise—a serial killer operating from beneath Amsterdam's canal system—gives this picture a distinct identity. Some scenes have been done before, notably a great nod to "A Nightmare On Elm Street," but Maas puts it all together with an exciting flair, enhanced by Felperlaan’s atmospheric use of color. The characters are drawn in a straightforward way, giving them a grounded and vulnerable realism that feels refreshing. Certain moments create suspense and fear through implication rather than explicit gore. It was a brave choice for Maas to avoid going full-on Giallo Slasher with his audience, but choosing to tease the mystery proved to be a good decision. There are some truly memorable scenes here. A victim's body is shockingly paraded on a tourist boat, there’s an extended speedboat chase that would fit right in with a Bond film, and Visser’s exploration of Amsterdam’s murky underground waterways is well-staged horror. This demonstrates the director’s knowledge of genre conventions. The acting is uneven, but Stapel delivers as our lead. He brings a tough film noir determination to Detective Visser that's quite engaging; he even bears a resemblance to a future Vincent Cassell. Monique van de Ven, as the female lead, is sensual without being overly provocative and complements Stapel’s more rugged persona. The ending is somewhat disappointing, not so much in the revelation itself but in how quickly it all happens. It feels rushed, particularly considering the film runs just under two hours. The synth score also felt dated, even for 1988; I found myself thinking of Harold Faltermeyer’s music from "The Running Man," but a simplified version. These are minor criticisms, though, because this is a clever and well-crafted Dutch thriller. It earns a rating of 7.5/10.

Source on TMDB