Scanner Cop (1994)

"We've got a rule around here, no fucking secrets from your partner." - Officer Riley

A cop with telekinetic powers tries to stop a murderer that targets police officers.
Starring: Daniel Quinn, Richard Grove, Darlanne Fluegel, Richard Lynch

Link to IMDB

This is technically the fourth movie in the Scanners series, but it's considered a spin-off from the main story. Let's see how that goes...

Sam, the scanner man.

A scanner is a person born with a birth defect that gives them telekinetic and telepathic powers, but all the excess noise in their head also drives them crazy unless they sedate their brain with medication. We see a man dealing with this very problem, as he's freaking out in a hotel room with his young son. With one of the weirdest effects I've ever seen, the man starts sprouting little faces out his head! It's just a representation of his pain, but a crazy way to open the movie. The police show up to restrain the man but he starts attacking them with scanner powers, so the son intervenes by using some of his own scanning. Unfortunately, it ends with the dad being shot dead.
The boy is Sam Staziak, and a nice cop on the scene is Officer Pete Harrigan. When Pete realizes that scientists and doctors just want to keep Sam as a test subject, he and his wife adopt him as their son, promising to supply him with the medicine he needs to have a normal life.
15 years later, Sam is healthy and has joined the police force to work with Pete who is now a Commander.


Sam is learning the beat, and able to hide his secret powers from the other officers as long as he doesn't forget to take his medicine. On one night in the city, four police officers are killed by civilians that are hallucinating. It seems a mysterious man and woman are behind these murders, using some sort of demented brainwashing that leaves the civilians in a catatonic state after they complete their deadly task. Commander Pete can only think of one way to get some answers, and reluctantly asks Sam if he will scan the catatonic victims for clues. Sam refuses, as he just can't risk going off his meds to access his powers.

The weirdos always wear black.

Science stuff, cop stuff, scanner stuff !

As more cops keep getting killed, Sam knows he has to help, so he agrees to scan the brainwashed victim. The story here is really effective and tense, and feels believable because of the solid characters. It really is more of a gritty cop film than just a sci-fi killer story. Being off the medication is stressful for Sam, but he's also finding clues inside the minds of the victims that slowly reveal who is behind all the killings. Will he solve the case and deliver an awesome finale before he loses control?!

The way scanning is shown has always looked a bit odd, but it still fits in with the plot and doesn't get too silly. Overall, this movie really surprised me (since the other Scanner sequels suck.) It's a solid plot about police dealing with fear and terror, with just enough scanning and melodramatic villains to keep it creepy and fun. I look forward to checking out the sequel.

Holy freakin' hell !

Be sure not to miss:
- Free pie! Sam's using those mind control powers wisely.
- The alien/insect that the lady hallucinates!
- Brion James has a small cameo near the end.

Internet review:
"Surprisingly enjoyable above average b-grade sci-fi action." - Infofreak

Should I watch it?
It's way better than expected, worth checking out.

Where can I find it?
YouTube playlist starts here.

Scanner Cop gets...