Not many films this fall are as highly anticipated as “The Killer.” What else would you expect? The film is directed by David Fincher, whose best works (“The Social Network,” “Zodiac,” “Fight Club,” “Se7en”) have come to define their respective decades.
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.
Other than that, not much else is known about Fincher’s upcoming 118-minute film. That’ll change when it premieres in September at the Venice Film Festival. So far, no other festivals have announced it, and I’m hearing it’s not going to Telluride or Toronto. Maybe NYFF is an option.
Here’s a Venice programmer and his thoughts on “The Killer,” and the movie that he’s comparing it to is absolutely wheting my appetite for this one:
So much hype for this new Fincher, but, yes, it is very good. It reminded me a lot and looks like Melville’s “Le Samourai,” almost as if Melville had made a film in 2023, and it seems to also understand that film quite well. The position of the camera, the gestures, the photography. In short, it's a very remarkable film that you don’t even realize how good it is while you’re watching it. It overwhelms in such a way that you don't even notice it sneaking up on you.
Melville! I should have known. It does make sense. The story is a perfect fit for the late French filmmaker’s filmography, and if you haven’t seen “Le Samourai” yet, watch it as soon as possible! It’s an absolute masterpiece of meditative tension.
“The Killer” is an adaptation of Alexis Nolent’s graphic novel series. “Seven” screenwriter, Andrew Kevin Walker, was hired to adapt Nolent’s novels. It’s set to launch on Netflix in November.
The film 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. It’ll be available to stream via Netflix on November 10.
“Hope,” Na’s first film in ten years — his last one being the exemplary “The Wailing” —is a gloriously messy, blood-soaked sci-fi epic that may become a cult classic despite—or because of—its polarizing nature.