One of the most anticipated films of the year, David Fincher’s “The Killer,” was screened for Netflix execs and staff in late April. I was told that the room was left stunned by the end of the 150 minute film.
I had confessed that the reaction I had received was from a reader who worked at Netflix, so they might have just been using me to launch a strong word-of-mouth campaign. Who knows.
Someone on Reddit, I won’t name this user, has also, seemingly, somehow, watched “The Killer,” they claim it was also a Netflix staff-only screening, but they managed to see it via their contacts. I have no idea how legitimate this is, but the reaction is predictably glorious:
It’s extremely stylistic, probably the most out of all of Fincher’s movies. It’s also his most violent movie to date, no joke. It goes into some pretty dark places and is also very thrill-heavy, some of the action was actually mind-blowing. Tilda Swinton isn’t in the movie that much. She’s good in her scenes though, but overshadowed by everyone else, unfortunately. The movie isn’t very emotional either. It’s cold, brutal, and dark. Without going into spoilers, the killer’s backstory is completely different from the graphic novel. He doesn’t become a hitman at age 20 in this one. Also, the amount of locations is way less. It’s not a globe-trotting adventure like in the novel. It’s still large in scale, but the movie only takes place in three different countries instead of 10, such as was the case in the novel. If there’s anything to complain about, the runtime is a bit long. It’s a 2 hour and 40 minute movie and, while most of it flies by, there are two particular scenes that slow the movie down to a halt. This is still a Fincher movie through and through. It still has his signature yellows and blues. Michael Fassbender was very good. Throughout the movie he has different accents that he uses and I’m sure people will be meming his performance. He’s basically Leon the Professional, but way weirder. The movie is arthouse mixed with big budget action scenes and it also has these really interesting dream sequences. I would say it’s probably my 4th favorite Fincher movie. I still like Gone Girl, The Social Network, and Fight Club more, but this is still a fantastic effort.
No word yet on any festival bow for this one, but I just have this gut feeling it’ll be getting its world premiere at the New York Film Festival in late October. It would make sense since I was told, months ago, that “The Killer” would pass on a Venice and Toronto launch.
“The Killer” has been in the can since late February. It was given an MPAA rating that suggests very Fincher-esque theatrics: Rated R for strong violence, language and brief sexuality.
Two-time Oscar winners Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor will be scoring the film. Fincher’s go-to DP, Erik Messerschmidt, who worked on “Mank,” is also lensing.
“The Killer” started production in November 2021 and wrapped shorting in March of 2022. We’re supposed to get this bad boy in November.
The film stars Michael Fassbender as an assassin who begins to psychologically crack as he develops a conscience, even as his clients continue to demand his skills. Tilda Swinton is also part of the cast. “The Killer” is an adaptation of Alexis Nolent’s graphic novel series. ”Seven” screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker was hired to adapt Nolent’s novels.
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