Terry McDonough’s 2024 mystery thriller Damaged tries to capture the audience’s attention but fails to deliver a compelling experience, even with an impressive cast that includes Samuel L. Jackson and Vincent Cassel. It begs the question: why would such talented actors agree to appear in such a poorly executed film?
With shallow writing and a lack of direction, the film struggles to engage. At the heart of Damaged is a serial killer case, but the killings never create the shock factor that one would expect from such a theme. There’s barely any investigation into the murders, leaving us to wonder if this approach to a serial killer story is justified.
A serial killer story that never quite hits the mark (Photo: Damaged/High Five Films)Let’s break down the plot and see if the film truly delivers on its premise.
Plot Summary of Damaged (2024)
The story kicks off with the brutal murder of a woman named Abigail in Scotland. The killer, disguised as a delivery boy, takes her life in cold blood. When the police arrive to investigate, they find the victim’s body parts arranged in a cross-like formation, but her torso is missing.
This setup bears a striking resemblance to a series of murders that occurred over five years ago in Chicago. Consequently, Detective Dan Lawson, who was involved in the original investigation, is brought in to consult on the case in Scotland.
Lawson’s investigation into the Chicago murders had him working with his now-retired partner, Bravo. In Scotland, Lawson joins forces with the lead investigator, Glen Boyd, and the police chief, Kessler.
Boyd is dealing with personal turmoil, which Lawson becomes aware of after overhearing a conversation between Boyd and his wife, Marie. As they work together to solve the crime, Lawson suggests that the killings in Scotland might be motivated by religion, making them potentially hate crimes.
What Is Troubling Boyd?
As the investigation progresses, Lawson notices that something is troubling Boyd deeply. When he inquires about it, Boyd opens up about the grief he and his wife have been dealing with since the death of their son.
Their relationship has grown strained, with Boyd emotionally distancing himself, and Marie turning to infidelity.
Despite Boyd’s efforts to focus on work, the rift between him and Marie grows wider. Lawson shares his own experience with loss, particularly the murder of Sarah in Chicago, and the two detectives bond over their shared pain, hoping to catch the killer in Scotland.
They also identify a potential lead in cult societies operating in the area, prompting Lawson to call his former partner, Bravo, for assistance. While Boyd suspects Abigail’s neighbor might be involved, further investigation clears the neighbor, leaving the detectives at a dead end.
The Killing of Grace Hall
While Boyd and Lawson are investigating Abigail’s murder, another woman named Grace Hall is killed, and her body is staged in the same manner as Abigail’s. Boyd learns from Grace’s mother that Grace had an ex-boyfriend, Colin McGregor, who may have a connection to the crime.
When Boyd confronts Colin, he refuses to speak without a lawyer present, making it impossible for Boyd to get any straight answers. Later, Boyd learns that Colin had once been part of a cult, but was expelled for not conforming to the group’s beliefs.
Abigail’s neighbor also reports seeing Colin near the crime scene a few days before the murder. The police set up a trap to catch Colin, and Boyd can apprehend him. However, later that night, Boyd returns home to find Marie’s body, arranged in the same gruesome way as the previous victims.
This time, the arrangement seems unrelated to any cult activity. The following day, Boyd discovers the missing torso of Marie, and he promises to bring the killer to justice.
The Truth About Colin McGregor
Boyd grows increasingly convinced that Colin is responsible for Marie’s death. In a fit of rage, he interrupts the interrogation and threatens Colin with severe retribution if he’s proven guilty. Lawson advises Boyd to keep his emotions in check, as this could jeopardize the investigation.
Later, Boyd learns that Colin’s obsession with the murders stems from his hatred of copycat killers, having murdered Abigail and Grace because he saw them as false representatives of their faith.
Boyd is further troubled when Lawson asks if he has revealed his wife’s affair to anyone, as it could provide a motive for Marie’s murder.
That night, Colin is seen drinking at a bar, and when confronted by a woman seeking payment, he reacts aggressively before fleeing through the back door. Soon after, the original killer arrives and kills Colin, stabbing him multiple times.
The Shocking Ending of Damaged (2024)
The plot takes a shocking turn when Boyd discovers that Colin’s death is part of a bigger plan. In a moment of realization, Lawson tells Boyd that Colin did not kill Marie. The crime scene for Marie’s murder mirrors those in Chicago, confirming that the killer is a copycat, and the real murderer is still at large.
Lawson further investigates and uncovers a connection between Colin and Bravo, revealing that Colin had once worked with Bravo at ATEM Security. During an earlier interrogation, Colin mentioned meeting a “foreigner” in London who spoke about the Chicago killings.
Talented actors struggle with a film that lacks the punch it needs (Photo: Damaged/High Five Films)As Lawson connects the dots, he learns that Bravo is somehow involved, and he arranges a meeting with him. Meanwhile, Boyd, now aware of the truth, heads toward Bravo’s location. When Lawson confronts Bravo, the truth comes to light: Lawson killed Sarah in a fit of rage during an argument over her affair with Bravo.
Lawson’s accidental killing of Sarah set off a chain of murders that continued with those involved in her death. Lawson eventually killed Colin because he was a copycat killer, and he murdered Marie as a form of revenge, seeing her affair as a reminder of his loss.
Lawson had planned to destroy those who had hurt him, even if it meant becoming a serial killer himself.
Boyd’s Final Pursuit of Lawson
Boyd tracks Lawson to a hotel, where a shootout has already taken place, with Bravo being fatally shot by Lawson. Boyd discovers evidence that ties Lawson to the Chicago murders, including the missing jewelry that was a signature of the original killings.
Boyd gives chase but loses Lawson. Even at the harbor, where Boyd makes a final attempt to capture Lawson, he is thwarted. Lawson escapes, leaving Boyd frustrated and defeated.
In the final moments, we see Lawson enjoying the peace of nature, seemingly at peace with his actions, as Boyd is left lamenting his failure to bring his wife’s killer to justice. The case is handed over to Interpol, and Boyd’s quest for revenge remains unfulfilled.
