In the first scene we see an innocent policewoman plunge to her death because of the inhumanity of another. The film introduces a new thought: "Inhumanity towards other leads to death."  

In other words,

1. People are basically good, and

2. Inhumanity toward others is wrong.

  Now, the film takes us on an exploration of those two assumptions. And by the end of the film it discredits the first statement and holds firm to the second. Nonetheless, it underscores the value of loving human relationships. It is a clever film that teaches some valuable lessons about human nature, assumptions, trust, loyalty, and truth.   LIGHT PENETRATING DARKNESS
Because the film explores the very nature of good and evil several scenes feature a contrast between light and darkness.  

  Opposite types of people are placed together.   In one of the opening scenes a strong confident woman, dressed in black, is placed next to an emotional woman dressed in white.   The film also teams an older black experienced man with a young white inexperienced woman with blonde hair. They are very different and as the film progresses that difference becomes even more obvious.   The kidnapper in the story uses disguises. He goes from bearded and longhaired to clean-shaven and shorthaired. He turns from school teacher (child lover) to kidnapper (child hater). The contrasts of opposites dominate the film. So, in terms of the plot, be prepared for lots of surprising contrasting twists.  

As the film explores the mind of the child kidnapper the filmmakers use dark atmospheric night scenes in the rain. It sets a tone that seems to suggest the dark side of human nature.

The kidnapper speaks a very key line in the film. For years we have heard the motto: "The mind is a terrible thing to waste." In the film the phrase is shorted to the more blunt: "The mind is a terrible thing."

Special Agent Jezzie Flannigan asked Detective Alex Cross what he sees when he when he looks at her face.