Suspect Zero

Suspect Zero, a 2004 psychological thriller, was directed by E. Elias Merhige and featured Aaron Eckhart, Ben Kingsley, and Carrie-Anne Moss. The film was produced by Cruise/Wagner Productions, a company co-owned by Tom Cruise. It performed poorly at the box office, earning approximately $8.7 million worldwide—less than one-third of its estimated $27 million production budget. The story follows the pursuit of a serial killer who evades detection by law enforcement, and it draws on declassified DIA Stargate remote viewing protocols. As of 2026, it remains Merhige's most recent theatrical release.

The plot begins with the murder of traveling salesman Harold Speck, whose body is found in his car with his eyelids removed and a crossed-circle symbol in his hand. FBI Agent Thomas Mackelway, recently suspended for beating a suspect, investigates with his partner Fran Kulok. They receive taunting faxes from a killer, leading them to the concept of "Suspect Zero," a criminal linked to hundreds of unsolved deaths. A mysterious informant, Mr. Blue, helps them follow clues. The trail leads to Benjamin O'Ryan, a halfway house resident whose room is covered in obsessive sketches of the crossed-circle symbol, a Bible with missing persons notes, and a book on ritual. Another occupant explains the symbol represents a zero. O'Ryan claims to be a former FBI agent, but his role—whether key to catching Suspect Zero or the killer himself—remains unclear.

Mackelway and Kulok respond to a call about an attempted kidnapping and find O'Ryan standing over the body of Raymond Starkey, a recently released prisoner. Evidence reveals O'Ryan was part of Project Icarus, a military program to develop telepathic abilities. O'Ryan used these powers to track serial killers. Mackelway discovers he also has limited access to these abilities. Despite skepticism from superiors, Mackelway uses his powers to identify Starkey's accomplice and prove O'Ryan's innocence.

Suspect Zero is revealed to be a man driving a refrigerated truck across the country as part of a scheme to kidnap children. Mackelway notices freezer burns on victims, linking them to the truck. He tracks the driver to a carnival, where he finds a child from his vision now free. O'Ryan captures Mackelway but spares him after witnessing his bravery. They team up, trace Suspect Zero to a ranch, and discover shallow graves. A chase ensu