No Tears in Hell – Movie Review (2/5)

NO TEARS IN HELL is a serial killer horror movie based on the true story of Russian serial killer Alexander Spesivtsev. Changes have been made, such as moving the story to the U.S. Also, there’s a lot of focus on smoking cigarettes. Read our full No Tears in Hell movie review here!

NO TEARS IN HELL is a new serial killer horror movie with a true crime angle, as it’s based on the true story of Russian serial killer Alexander Spesivtsev. You can read up on the real serial killer on Wikipedia right here, if you want more details.

When it comes to the crimes, quite a lot is close to the real story, while moving the story to the U.S., which I am not really a fan of. I know it’s to make it more accessible and not have everyone speaking English with a Russian accent, but still. Also, the runtime of 105 minutes is too long.

Continue reading our No Tears in Hell movie review below. Find it on VOD on August 12, 2025.

The Siberian Ripper story… in Alaska

No Tears in Hell is based on the true story of Russian serial killer Alexander Spesivtsev, aka “The Siberian Ripper”. Or rather, it’s inspired by his crimes and his life, while moving the actual story to Alaska. Also, some liberties (a lot, it seems) were taken, but I know that’s always the case.

Luke Baines, who played a serial killer in The Girl in the Photographs (the final movie produced by the late Wes Craven), also plays the serial killer in No Tears in Hell. He has the perfect look for this role with his prominent brow that can make him look threatening in a split second.

Seriously, see a picture of Luke Baines smiling and you’ll hardly recognize him, but damn, that brow is perfect for horror movies.

In another key role, just like it was for the real-life serial killer, we see the mother of the serial killer. She’s portrayed by the late Gwen Van Dam (Star Trek: Generations). Of course, we also see a lot of will-be-victims in this movie, but those characters are very shallow.

No shade to the actors, but they just are not written as “real” people. They’re stereotypes and superficial acquaintances at best. A real problem for a serial killer movie.

A very different kind of Alaska

Of course, having No Tears in Hell play out in Alaska (according to the official plot) comes with some challenges that are very much ignored.

For one, we see mostly white and black people (almost 50/50), despite Alaska having a very small African-American population. Including some Hispanic, Asian, or (ideally) Alaskan Native characters would’ve been a much better choice.

Also, it’s supposedly the Alaskan winter, yet people are running around in T-shirts and open jackets. Another woman is wearing a mini-skirt but is worried about spending her final money on socks while wearing summer shoes.

I mean, it’s fine that you move it from Russia to Alaska, but then commit to this choice wholeheartedly.

Finally, making every single woman someone ready to give a BJ for the smallest favor is not a good look. And we’re talking everyone from the homeless woman already working on the street to the young woman on a school break.

A school break in rural Alaska?! Yeah, sounds legit.

Watch No Tears in Hell on VOD now

Michael Cassie is the writer and director of No Tears in Hell, which left me wanting more. The story comes from Alexander Nistratov, and whether the problems began there or with the screenplay is anyone’s guess.

The runtime is 1 hour and 45 minutes, but with a swift cut of the many long shots featuring the serial killer smoking cigarettes, plus those with people just staring into space, it could easily have cut 15 minutes.

Watch this movie for Luke Baines, who is amazing (once again) in the lead as the serial killer. The actual storyline and storytelling are nowhere near as strong as I expected.

After all, the real story is powerful enough that you don’t need to add much. And what was added here did not improve anything.

NO TEARS IN HELL is out on VOD and digital on August 12, 2025.

Details

Director: Michael Caissie
Script: Michael Caissie (story by Alexander Nistratov)
Cast: Luke Baines, Gwen Van Dam, Tatjana Marjanovic, Audrey Neal, Gabriella Westwood, Erik Fellows