Some readers are pointing out the high praise that Venice chief Alberto Barbera has for Fincher’s “The Killer”, via Deadline:
The film is very violent. It’s breathtaking from beginning to the end. Michael Fassbender is fantastic.
Barbera goes on to mention “Ferrari,” “Maestro “ and “The Killer” as major contenders, adding that he’d “be surprised if these movies weren’t in the Oscar race.”
That’s all fine and dandy, but here I come with the buzzkill and why we shouldn’t really take anything that Barbera says at face value. Let’s cue in an interview that Barbera did, with Deadline this time last year, right after the 2022 edition of Venice was announced:
There are a number. Tar for sure. Cate Blanchett is absolutely amazing. It’s a very ambitious film. Iñárritu is a contender again with Bardo. This is probably his most personal and ambitious film so far. Noah Baumbach’s film [White Noise] is also another contender, and The Son will be in the Oscar conversation, I’m sure. I’m curious about the response to Blonde, we’ll see. Luca Guadagnino’s film [Bones and All] has a chance to feature in the race, as does Don’t Worry Darling.
Yeah, so take it all with a grain of salt. I’m sure Fincher has made something worthy with “The Killer,” but we won’t really know how good it is until it screens six weeks from now on the Lido.
Of course, we all know the rule: take these reactions with a grain of salt rather than treating them as gospel. Still, I will say that the film tested like gangbusters earlier this year, and Lionsgate clearly has confidence.