The Killer - A Thriller without intention #LFF

 

Legendary filmmaker, David Fincher returns with 'The Killer', a masterfully shot thriller with a chilling score, yet disappointing plot. The film follows a professional assassin, played by Michael Fassbender, known only as 'The Killer', who stakes out a Parisian hotel room. He prepares to use a sniper rifle to kill a target who will check into the hotel room at an unknown time, but he fails to complete his mission. The film begins with a mysterious and intriguing first act introducing us to a cryptic hitman and it sets the scene perfectly. We know nothing about the character and only follow his actions and his narration. This provides us with a question of whether we should follow his guidance throughout the film or to distrust him.

The film is beautifully shot and captures a cold calculated killer perfectly with it's clinical colour palette meshing well with the set design, which highlights the emptiness, lack of sincerity and care the character has. We are immersed into this lifestyle he goes through and not knowing anything about him.

The sound design is really unsettling and crisp. It reflects the meticulous nature of the killer and we don't hear the narration of Michael Fassbender's character when looking through his eyes as well are made to observe. I found this very interesting as well were forced to insinuate what he was feeling as opposed to everything we were being told. This clever use of sound presents to use how serial killers have this methodical, spacial awareness and we are only fed what they would like us to hear. This links well with the pacing as the film accelerates into gear at the tense moments but stays stagnant when we are with Fassbender in the hotel room.

After the second act begins the film begins to derail due to the repetitive nature of nothing really happening, yet the same things happening. We are stuck with Fassbender's narration for the full duration of the movie and a full third act of him walking. 

Furthermore, as other characters are introduced we are forced to relate with them in a short duration of time and the conflict Fassbender's killer feels when one of the characters closest to him gets hurt, doesn't make us empathise much due to the lack of connection Fincher fails to build.

Overall, The Killer has the potential to be a great Fincher Film, but it effectively fails with a basic plot and under developed characters.

Overall Rating: 5.5/10 - Don't Recommended! 

We attended the UK Premiere of 'The Killer' at London Film Festival 2023, held at Royal Festival Hall