The Evil Gene

The Evil Gene – Exploring the Dark Intersection of Science, Sanity, and the Soul

The Evil Gene is a 2015 science fiction psychological thriller written and directed by Kathryn F. Taylor, blending elements of murder mystery, institutional paranoia, and speculative science. With a premise rooted in the chilling possibility of a biological basis for evil, the film poses provocative questions: can criminal behavior be inherited? Is there a genetic trigger for violence? And if so — are people truly responsible for their actions?

Set in the near future, The Evil Gene follows FBI agent Griff Krenshaw, played by Richard Speight Jr., who is sent to investigate a mysterious death inside a highly secure federal prison facility. The prison isn’t ordinary — it’s a psychiatric facility housing inmates diagnosed with a rare genetic mutation believed to cause sociopathic and homicidal tendencies. These are people who, due to this gene, may be biologically incapable of empathy or remorse.

What begins as a straightforward suicide case quickly spirals into a much deeper and more disturbing mystery. Griff, a man of logic and reason, is forced to confront the limits of both. As he delves deeper into the facility’s inner workings, he encounters disturbing experiments, institutional secrecy, and increasingly unexplainable events. The lines between science and madness begin to blur, and Griff’s own mind starts to unravel as he’s drawn into the psychological horrors at the core of the institution.

One of the film’s most fascinating elements is its central conceit: the idea that evil can be genetically programmed. Inspired loosely by real scientific debates about the “warrior gene” (MAOA-L), which has been controversially linked to aggression and violent behavior, The Evil Gene asks whether humanity can be reduced to chemical reactions and DNA — and what ethical responsibility society holds in the face of such knowledge. Do we treat carriers of this gene as criminals? Victims? Lab experiments?

Richard Speight Jr. gives a compelling performance as Griff, balancing skepticism with growing dread. His descent into paranoia is slow but gripping, and the audience is pulled along with him as the film flirts with both psychological thriller and light body horror. The atmosphere is one of quiet tension, built on unsettling silences, cold institutional hallways, and cryptic dialogue that keeps viewers questioning what's real.

Kathryn Taylor’s direction leans into a subdued visual tone — sterile, moody, and increasingly surreal. The film doesn’t rely on gore or jump scares but rather crafts a creeping sense of unease. The production design complements the story’s themes, with the prison facility itself feeling like a character: emotionless, impenetrable, and subtly threatening.

Though not without flaws — including a limited budget and some uneven pacing — The Evil Gene stands out for its ambitious concept and thoughtful storytelling. It’s a film that challenges viewers to think, inviting philosophical and ethical debate long after the credits roll.

In conclusion, The Evil Gene is an intelligent and unsettling sci-fi thriller that dares to ask whether evil is born, bred, or beyond our control. It’s a dark meditation on science, morality, and the fragile line between sanity and madness — and a reminder that sometimes, the most terrifying monsters are already inside us.