Sucking the cool out of James Bond and injecting formaldehyde into deadpan, this steel rail of a movie wisely adds humor to its calculations, the Reznor/Ross combo score defibrillates when needed, and Tilda Swinton brings the ice. Although I’m not a huge fan of excessive over-voiced narration, The Killer brilliantly merges its play-by-play with sinister commentary, and it’s wicked to get inside killer Michael Fassbender’s head. An absolute must for David Fincher and Dexter Morgan fanatics. Oddly (and concerningly), I found the entire experience meditative, engrossing, and calming. (This was my counteragent to all the Hallmark movies.)
– The No 1 movie of 2023 from Reely Bernie’s top 10
I was intrigued by The Killer since I saw the trailer. Then when I read Bernie’s article above praising it as his No 1 movie of 2023 I knew I had to see it. The problem was it didn’t get cinema release here, instead it premiered on Netflix. I didn’t have Netflix at the time until only recently. In the interim I had forgotten about this movie all together until I was curled up on the couch yesterday and zapping through the movies and low and behold – The Killer appeared! I most likely would have passed by this movie none the wiser if it wasn’t for Bernie’s words above and our ensuing conversation. Now onto the movie.
The Killer is a 2023 American action thriller film directed by David Fincher. Fincher, of course has been a game-changer in the industry making some of the greatest psychological thrillers of all time. His filmography includes: Seven (1995), The Game (1997), Fight Club (1999), Zodiac (2007) and The Social Network (2010). His movies have grossed over $2.1 billion worldwide and received 40 Academy Award nominations.
The Killer is based on the French graphic novel series The Killer written by Alexis “Matz” Nolent. The Killer follows the titular assassin as he embarks on an international vendetta after a hit goes wrong. Development on the graphic novel adaptation began in 2007, but it was later moved as a project on Netflix in 2021. The Killer premiered at the 80th Venice International Film Festival on September 3, 2023. It received a limited theatrical release and began streaming on Netflix on November 10, 2023.
The film received positive reviews from critics. What surprises me is its so-so score on IMDB of 6.8 and audience score on Rotten Tomatoes of just 61%. I will hypothesise why that might be below:
I assume the people streaming / view this movie would be in the bracket of young adult men and they would expect to see a plethora of action and violence ala ‘John Wick‘. This dopamine dependant generation have lived most of their lives behest by digital technology including the internet and social media. The patience required by the protagonist of The Killer (played by Michael Fassbender who Bernie also lauded in Steve Jobs) is a requisite for the viewer as well. You see, the psychological aim of The Killer just like my last reviewed movie The Father is to cast you; the audience member into the very mind of the protagonist. An assassin’s life is unlikely to be that ‘sexy’ as we have been led to believe including salivating over ‘Big Kahuna’ hamburgers. Their work is probably akin to a slow-burn and therefore could be construed by the aforementioned audience-type as ‘dull’. Just read the user reviews in IMDB:
‘Incredibly slow, predictable and nothing out of the ordinary’.
‘Boring movie that’s more style over substance’.
‘If you are unable to endure boredom, this work is not for you’.
I must have got somewhere, any place where now I appreciate it slower. To quote Leonard Cohen in Slow (2014):
It’s not because I’m old
It’s not what dying does
I always liked it slow
Slow is in my blood
I always liked it slow:
I never liked it fast
With you it’s got to go:
With me it’s got to last
References:
1. The Killer (2023 film) – Wikipedia
2. The Killer – IMDB
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
Matthew, excellent write-up! I, too, have reached an age where “slow burn,” deadpan, observant film portrayals intrigue me much more than protruding CGI/low attention span drivel. I’m also aware that this drivel I speak of is much more popular among the younger generations and millennials out there. (Every millennial I spoke to at the Christmas party hated “The Killer” because it was “too slow.”) I say that’s “too bad.” What a shame that the humorous, meticulous study of a serial killer achieving and failing under suspenseful situations can’t entertain this social media-driven generation. Dare I recommend stellar international movies with subtitles to them?
I saw “The Killer” three times and loved even more!
I didn’t know about its origin, and I enjoyed your comparison to John Wick.
If anything, 2023 was a monumental year for me regarding acceptance in movie appeal that will continue to go against the banal, fast-paced curve. I’m just fine with that. “Get off my lawn.”
Haha!
Miss you and Happy New Year!
Hey Bernie.
Can I still wish you a Happy New Year even though we are already 5 days into it? I remember in a latter episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm when Larry David got upset up with a lass because she wished him a ‘late’ Happy New Year because it was already well into January or something like that. If I find the scene I’ll post it at the end of this message.
Apart from Fincher’s amazing track record with psychological thrillers and my contention with the low user opinion of this movie, I didn’t really have much to add apart from your articulate and poignant synopsis. I should have added how much I enjoyed hearing the music by ‘the Smith’s throughout even if it faded in and out to such an extent it would have felt almost intangible for a newcomer to develop an ear for.
I love your cutesy backlash to the negativism of ‘that’s too bad’ and ‘Get off my Lawn’. That made me chuckle.
I hope this message finds you and your family well, man. Cheers.
Oh here it is…re. New Years – ‘Three days, plenty’ Haha
Haha! “3 days. Plenty.” I love Larry. When people touch me on an airplane, I tell them it’s “Encroachment,” haha! Learned from Mr. David.
I was just showing my wife the one when Larry lies about thinking Ted Danson’s house party is tonight even though it was last night, but Ted invites him in anyway, and Larry is fuming inside. Richard tries the trick too! So so funny!
Well, regardless, happy weekend to you!
I’m gonna start watching more Curb…
What I always liked about Larry in Curb is he calls people out for moral exhibitionism and virtue signalling. That’s what I like about the series. People everywhere possess and project this facade to show themselves up when really there so much false and distasteful about it, that it needs calling out. Give me transparency; give me a Perri song for god sake to bring me back to what’s real. Haha
I don’t care if her song ripped off part of the Brokeback movie soundtrack haha; it’s still more real than anything out there:
Ha! I love this! And, I love your terms “moral exhibitionism” and “virtue signaling.” I’m stealing those. Is that okay? My wife just put all the Curb Seasons 3-7 (my faves) on hold at the library, haha! They need a third viewing. I just love him. I didn’t see seasons 8-11. I need to catch up!
Take them and dust ’em off when you have to haha.
Your wife is obviously a Curb fan as well, yeh? That helps Bernie, putting it mildly. Hehe. I hope you enjoy them again. There are few poor episodes.
If memory serves me correct the 8th season is a great also when he’s in NY.
Yeah, my wife enjoys my analogies and connections to Larry when she sees the actual episode. Like Larry’s ripped shirt to Ted Danson: “This isn’t a gift; it’s an inconvenience.” We can relate to so many social queries and faux pas. It’s good to be in the same “Curb” boat as you!
I have to revisit the episodes you allude to with Danson. I remember the Wizard of Oz episode. Is it that one you recall?
Hey you have Netflix right? If you like LD’s stuff then the comedy special ‘Armageddon’ by Ricky Gervais might wet your chops if you haven’t seen it already. Be warned, it might offend.
That’s the one! “Chet’s Shirt.” Gosh, I need to see that Gervais one. He is so good at offending 🙂
Chets Shirt. Haha. That episode is Gold. Also the Doll episode re. Susie’s daughter.
Gervais’ performance at the Golden Globes are legendary right? I have to refamiliarise myself so here goes:
So savage, haha! He keeps Hollywood grounded. Some great cringes there, Matthew 🙂
Hi Matt, this movie is on Netflix here, so will watch it later! Here’s the details to my cousin’s show http://www.onlineradiobox.com/uk/station. It’s a community radio station. See how you get on. 9-midnight Fridays and Sundays, UK time. Hope all is well with you. Kindest regards.
I hope you get to see it Sharon. I think if you make it past the 1st Chapter then you will be well on your way. Thank you for the link to your cousin’s show. That’s most kind of you. I’ll try to check it out Sunday. Cheers and have a great weekend.
Cool. Love the dopamine dependant line. Perfect description….
I don’t blame them. I’m a victim as much as them, but I have matured and I remember living in the analogue world. I point you to the Ankidroid article which features: ‘the abuse of language’:
The concept of ‘abuse of language’ is related to a hyper reality and super syncretic future where people prefer to live in the hyper-real world (pseudo reality) as opposed to the pre-digital anlogue one. We are creating a synthetic philosophy and moving to a way of living out of deconstruction by banging the thesis and antithesis together.
Josef Pieper, a German Catholic Philosopher wrote an essay Abuse of Language – Abuse of Power (see image above) about synthetic discourses creating counter-hegemonies; a fake concensus which everyone will be compelled to hold up. Where true communication stops and propaganda begins the moment that words are chosen to influence people rather than to accurately represent reality. For example, ‘If you don’t believe us, you must be a racist’.
That is absolutely true. It’s so obvious, but it still goes on. Gaslighting and hypnotized sheep follow blindly. Very scary times.
Hi Matt, I saw ‘The Killer’ yesterday. It was OK, but it left me with a lot of unanswered questions. Was he married to Tilda Swinton? Good film though. The acting was good! Thanks for the movie tip.
Hey Sharon.
That is cool you saw it Sharon and I appreciate reading your feedback.
I thought ‘the Killer’ was a very good movie due to its realism and attention to detail.
Having said that I have seen a better movies this year, some of which I have reviewed here.
Regarding the Tilda Swinton character I never thought that he was married to her. The plot on Wikipedia stated the following about penultimate chapter in which she appears:
‘The Killer travels to Beacon, New York, where he confronts The Expert “Q-Tip” assassin in a gourmet restaurant. Appearing to accept her fate, The Expert questions The Killer’s motivations in continuing and lessening competency at his profession, as they partake in her “last supper” of whiskey. Proceeding outside to the park, The Expert appears to trip on the stairs and requests The Killer to give her a hand. The Killer, instead, shoots her dead and notices she had a concealed knife in her hand.’
Cheers Sharon