The Mean Season is a crime thriller directed by Phillip Borsos and starring Kurt Russell as Malcolm Anderson, a reporter for the Miami Herald who becomes wrapped up in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with a serial killer. The film was released in 1985 and is based on the novel In the Heat of the Summer by John Katzenbach.
The film opens with Anderson investigating a murder in the Florida Everglades. As he covers the story, he receives a call from the killer, who dubs himself "The Numbers Killer". The killer offers Anderson exclusive interviews and insider information in exchange for making him the subject of his stories. Anderson initially declines, but as the killer's calls and taunts continue, he becomes increasingly drawn into the case.
Meanwhile, the killer continues his spree, targeting young women and leaving cryptic messages for Anderson. The police are unable to catch him, and Anderson becomes the voice of the killer in the media. However, as the killer's demands escalate, Anderson realizes that he has become a pawn in a deadly game.
The Mean Season is a tense and suspenseful thriller that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats. The performances by Kurt Russell and Mariel Hemingway, who plays Anderson's girlfriend, are strong, and the film features an atmospheric score by Lalo Schifrin. The film explores themes of morality, responsibility, and the ethics of journalism, making it a thought-provoking crime drama.