Veteran screenwriter Larry Cohen (It's Alive,
Best Seller,
Maniac Cop,
Phone Booth,
Cellular, etc.) wrote this mystery thriller about screenwriter/screenwriting teacher Joel Brandt, who finds himself at the center of a series of seemingly senseless killings, that seem to be related to his screenplay, "Senseless Killings". Like our hero, sorry protagonist, Cohen knows how to structure a story, and "Messages Deleted" pretty much follows the standard formula of mystery thrillers. It's well crafted, no better or worse than many other films like it. It's entertaining and certainly not a bad way to spend 90 minutes. Recommended to fans of mysteries, and especially those who are also interested in screenwriting. 3+/4-