Is the movie Citizen X (1995) based on a true story?

Yes, Citizen X is based on a true story. It recounts the story of serial killer Andrei Chikatilo, who was active in the Soviet Union in the 1980s, and the efforts of investigators to track him down and bring him to justice.

What is the true story behind the movie Citizen X (1995)?

Citizen X is a movie based on the true story of the serial killer Andrei Chikatilo, also known as the Rostov Ripper, who was responsible for the murders of at least 52 people, mostly young children and teenagers, in the Soviet Union between 1978 and 1990.

The movie is focused on the hunt for the killer by the Soviet police, led by detective Viktor Burakov, who had to overcome bureaucratic obstacles and lack of resources to track down the murderer. Burakov was the only investigator who believed that the murders were the work of a serial killer, and he pursued the case for years, even when his superiors tried to shut down the investigation.

The movie depicts the brutal murders and the psychological toll it takes on the investigators, as well as the corrupt and oppressive Soviet system that made it difficult to conduct a proper investigation. It also highlights the importance of cooperation and information sharing between law enforcement agencies, as the Soviet authorities were reluctant to acknowledge the existence of a serial killer on their soil.

In real life, Chikatilo was finally caught and convicted in 1992, and he was executed in 1994. Burakov was praised for his persistence and dedication to the case, but he suffered from PTSD and depression as a result of his involvement in the investigation.