I mean, you had me at “Michael Fassbender playing an assassin” – yet The Killer is not what you will expect – and I say that in the very best way. Based on the graphic novel of the same name, film director David Fincher, most notably known for his work on Seven (1995), Fight Club (1999) and Gone Girl (2014), brings a thoughtful drama disguised as an action film in this much-anticipated Netflix film, playing in select theaters and streaming on November 10.
Even with Fincher once again teaming up with his Seven screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker on The Killer, do not expect a recycled formula from these familiar filmmakers. The Killer is a deeply methodical yet pleasantly simplistic story of a “by the book” sociopath assassin (Fassbender) who finds himself on a mission to hold wrongdoers accountable, after one of his jobs goes sideways and his private life is turned upside down.
Best to be referred to as “The Killer” in the film, the most fascinating part of this standalone character is that he is both the protagonist and the antagonist. In a line of work that expects him to be successful in the shadows without fail, “The Killer” is now forced to be seen, as he follows his path towards retribution. Sure, he has plenty of obstacles in his way, but many are ones he chooses to take on, as he goes through the motions more like a masterfully programmed machine than a morality-guided human being.
Known previously for his celebrated performances as in films like X-Men: First Class (2011), Shame (2011) and Prometheus (2012), Fassbender is a utterly captivating as the enigmatic character that has an incredibly sharp attention to detail and is meticulous in never leaving a crumb trail behind that could connect him to his dirty work. It is not easy for one actor and one character to keep the audience’s interest for an entire two hours, primarily on his own – yet Fassbender does just that.
As Fassbender’s character travels the world to tie up loose ends, much of The Killer’s story is wrapped around the planning. With a title like The Killer, one might expect the film to be action scene after action scene. The reality, however, is just not the case. Don’t get me wrong – there are some brutally violent and well-choreographed fight scenes in The Killer, but it is never the film’s main focus. The narrative stays consistent in the assassin’s want for an explanation surrounding his loss of anonymity and punishing the violators who took away what was once his separate home life.
The Killer has a limited yet strong supporting cast, which includes Top Gun: Maverick’s Charles Parnell and the never disappointing Tilda Swinton. Without spoiling anything, Swinton is referred to as “The Expert” and her interaction with Fassbender is quite magnetic, having two powerhouse actors brilliantly bouncing off of one another in their subtly comedic yet tension-filled scenes.
Walker’s intriguing screenplay deserves much of the praise in The Killer’s engaging delivery. Fassbender’s character ultimately does not say much throughout the film, but it is what he does not say and the way a look from his stoic face says even more than a mouth could ever do. Plus, the wonderful pairing of Walker’s script and Swinton’s sharp yet personable delivery in-character quickly becomes one of the most memorable parts of the film.
Following his unfortunately short-lived Netflix series Mindhunter (2017-2019), Fincher returns to the streaming giant, effectively bringing The Killer’s fully-realized story to the screen. With his signature direction of having often sleek and tight framing on his actors, Fincher and cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt create a fictional world that feels both intimate and cleverly stylized.
If you are looking for nonstop action, I suggest you look elsewhere. However, if you seek a taut tale that is carefully executed, then The Killer is indeed for you. Yes, it is very much a “slow burn” cinematic telling, but once you experience the film from start to finish, you will likely understand that this direct and chaptered series of events was really the only way to properly carry it out.
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