David Fincher is one of the most fascinating directors in Hollywood today. His films, much like those of Christopher Nolan, Greta Gerwig, & Martin Scorsese, always seem to carry a certain aura about them. His most recent film, The Killer, feels as though Fincher is choosing to indulge in the world he left behind with Mindhunter, while also making a bleak and terrifying statement about the world we live in.
Starring Michael Fassbender, The Killer tells the story of a hitman who misses his target. When his employer is notified, The Killer must get to the bottom of the order, no matter who or what is in the way.
I’ve long been a fan of Michael Fassbender. I suppose it first began with Danny Boyle’s Steve Jobs, but ever since I’ve been in line for every one of his films. Unsurprisingly, his performance is exactly what I wanted it to be when I first saw the promotional material. Dry, monotonous, and chilling, his character is beautifully simple. We’re lucky too, that his performance is so good because he is the primary character on screen for the vast majority of the film. Tilda Swinton makes an appearance in a scene that feels stripped straight from The Equalizer (though not as suspenseful), but her performance is memorable, to say the least.
As I was expecting (and hoping for), there wasn’t a wide range of action scenes throughout the film. In fact, there were only a handful of them. It may seem boring, not having an insane amount of action pieces in a film, but in the case of The Killer, it actually makes them much more significant. They feel much more important and visceral, and most importantly, like they’re there for a reason, not just to fill up time. With that being said, the big action sequence in this film is the very definition of the word brutal. There’s one string of shots that I still can’t get out of my head.
Something I found amusing throughout the film was how simple it was for this killer (hey, I said the thing) to get his supplies. Whether it be a quick Amazon search/pickup or choosing an Airbnb, he’s only a mere tap away from getting anything and everything he needs.
When this film was first announced, my brother and I were incredibly excited because it sounded like a Hitman movie. So much so that we went into the film expecting it to feel like the video games we love so much. Part of why I find myself loving this film is because of how much it felt like the games. The first shot of the film is exactly like the beginning of a mission, but it doesn’t stop there. There are countless shots, lines of dialogue, and action sequences that feel like they belong in a Hitman game. Maybe Fincher played the games during the pandemic and couldn’t get the rights to the film?
Beyond the performances and the video game-like qualities this film certainly has, the editing and cinematography are also entirely Fincher. The camera feels restrained to the immediate surroundings of the killer, inviting us into the moment as he enters a building or begins his yoga routine. There were subtle nods to Fincher’s past work too, which I found to be a nice Easter egg (especially the Gone Girl one).
The editing throughout the film was interesting as well. I began picking up on editing choices and techniques, especially as the story unraveled. Beyond that, however, the score of the film was exceptional. Much like the feelings this film gave off, it felt like a Hitman soundtrack, with a nice bit of pulse and life. Whenever it popped up in a scene, I couldn’t help but get excited.
It may seem like The Killer is a film that falls short of the typical standards David Fincher likes to strive for, but I’d actually argue the opposite. I think his most recent film is something that, quite frankly, only he could make. Michael Fassbender delivers another exceptional performance, this time as a pretty ruthless killer, but I think this film is so much more than the typical review talk. The commentary Fincher appears to be making concerning violence and this interconnected era we’re in feels strangely relevant in our world today. Plus, I found the film pretty entertaining.
From Letterboxd: The Hitman movie we deserved.
Rating: 4/5
The Killer is available on Netflix.