The Killer Review - David Fincher & Michael Fassbender Are The Real Killers, In A Positive Sense

The Killer Review Movie Talkies

The Killer Review: David Fincher and Michael Fassbender team up for a manhunt thriller called The Killer. There are so many spoilers in the title, if you see, but the idea behind it is completely different. It's not a story of the Killer, but of the Killer who might get killed and is on a manhunt to kill people after missing a kill in one of his missions. It's like an autobiography with a long narration that plays in repeat mode again and again. The trick does the job as far as catching your interest is concerned, but somewhere it feels like "too much". "Trust no one," he says, but I'd say you "Trust Fincher and Fassbender" for this one. They make sure that you have a good time watching this offbeat "thriller" of the "Killer" (good thymes, no).Based on Alexis "Matz" Nolent's graphic novel of the same name, Fincher's flick introduces you to an unnamed Killer (Michael Fassbender), who gives a long monologue on his routine and meticulous methods of killing. However, when it comes to hitting the job, he misses the target. He flees to his hideout (which is known to them) only to find out the client had sent a man and a woman to attack his girlfriend. Furious at seeing his girlfriend in such terrible conditions because of him, the killer embarks on a journey to give them back what he received. With smart tricks and disciplined methods, he manages to get the address and other details about the attack and then hops on a manhunt ride to international countries.With a runtime of slightly less than two hours, The Killer manages to put up an engaging thriller. Thank God, it wasn't so long. The first is more engaging compared to the second half because the character and his narration look fresh then. After halfway, you get used to his talk and his movements, so there is less fun. Andrew Kevin Walker writes a decent screenplay for a wannabe thriller that seems more like a revenge drama. He wrote Se7en for Fincher, which I personally found overrated like many Fincher movies, but I think Walker was more responsible than Fincher for it. A thriller must have some shocking revelations, which are missing here. The revenge looks kind of boring for 2023, especially when you know it's going to end with your so-called theory of human conscience. The battle is won much before that, though, as the film never hits the rock bottom or the roof top.The Killer is a Michael Fassbender movie. This could be the shortest and most impactful review of the film in one line. I don't know why the media spread the news that Fassbender didn't blink in the movie. Well, I saw him blinking twice, or did I miss other times? But what a phenomenal performance it is. I'll say you shouldn't blink while watching Michael on the screens. Keep your ears open, because he has plenty of wise words to tell you. He will tell you repeatedly, too. He captures 95% of the runtime of the film, and I don't wonder why. He deserved every single minute of it. Tilda Swinton shines in the only scene she appears in, and what a cracker of a performer she is! Charles Panell and Arliss Howard have done well with limited screen space. Kerry O'Malley's expressions are superb, Sala Baker bakes fine, and Sophie Charlotte looked convincing in a small role. The supporting cast is pretty decent, despite blink-and-miss appearances.The Killer has most of the scenes in dark and locked places, where the cinematography of Erik Messerschmidt clicks everything beautifully. The dialogues lack crispness, as does the editing in the second half. The Killer has a fine background score that keeps the moments alive, and you never feel bored of it. Yet, some moments are pretty dull. David Fincher gave Fight Club and then never made a film that can be put in the same club. Some of his works are good but not great (hence overrated, in a positive manner). We lost that FC's Fincher two decades ago, so it's too much to ask the same of him nowadays. The Killer is another good work from him, but again, nothing great or memorable. Fassbender and Fincher both kill it on an individual level and make this one a fairly good, one-time watch. It's the writing that doesn't live up to their individual efforts. Nevertheless, The Killer won't kill you as a viewer; be assured of that. Fassbender and Fincher have killed it, so the fans will have a nice time with this global manhunt ride.