The Killer (2023 film)

The Killer is a 2023 American neo-noir action thriller film directed by David Fincher from a screenplay by Andrew Kevin Walker. It is based on the French graphic novel series of the same name written by Alexis "Matz" Nolent and illustrated by Luc Jacamon.[2] The film stars Michael Fassbender in the title role, alongside Arliss Howard, Charles Parnell, Kerry O'Malley, Sala Baker, Sophie Charlotte, and Tilda Swinton. Its plot follows the titular assassin who gets embroiled in an international manhunt after a hit goes wrong.

The Killer
Release poster
Directed byDavid Fincher
Screenplay byAndrew Kevin Walker
Based on
The Killer
by
Produced byCeán Chaffin
Starring
CinematographyErik Messerschmidt
Edited byKirk Baxter
Music by
Production
companies
Distributed byNetflix
Release dates
  • September 3, 2023 (2023-09-03) (Venice)
  • October 27, 2023 (2023-10-27) (United States)
  • November 10, 2023 (2023-11-10) (Netflix)
Running time
118 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The Killer premiered at the 80th Venice International Film Festival on September 3, 2023,[3] and had a limited theatrical release on October 27, 2023; it is scheduled to begin streaming on November 10, 2023, by Netflix.

Premise

After a fateful near miss, an assassin battles his employers, and himself, on an international manhunt he insists isn't personal.

— Netflix, [4]

Cast

Production

Development

In November 2007, it was reported that David Fincher would be directing an adaptation of the Matz French comic book The Killer, with Allesandro Camon writing the script, Brad Pitt's Plan B Entertainment producing, and Paramount Pictures distributing.[5] By February 2021, Fincher had taken the project to Netflix, where he had signed an overall deal, with Andrew Kevin Walker now writing the script and Michael Fassbender circling the lead role.[2] By June, it was reported that Fincher was planning to begin filming in November 2021 in Paris, with cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt.[6] Tilda Swinton joined the cast in October.[7]

Filming

Principal photography began in November 2021 in Paris.[8] Filming took place in St. Charles, Illinois, in March 2022 for ten days and wrapped later that month.[9][10]

Music

In February 2023, it was reported that Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross were composing for the film.[11] It was confirmed in September 2023 that the soundtrack will feature songs from English rock band The Smiths.[12]

Release

The Killer premiered in-competition at the 80th Venice International Film Festival on September 3, 2023.[3] It was picked up for a surprise screening at the 71st San Sebastián International Film Festival set for September 30, 2023.[13] It was also invited at the 28th Busan International Film Festival in 'Icon' section and was screened on 6 October 2023.[14]

It began a limited theatrical release on October 27, 2023 via Netflix, before streaming on the platform on November 10, 2023.[15]

Reception

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 87% of 108 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.4/10. The website's consensus reads: "The Killer finds director David Fincher on firm footing with a stylish and engaging thriller that proves a perfect match for leading man Michael Fassbender."[16] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 77 out of 100, based on 41 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[17]

Terming it a "horribly addictive samurai procedural," Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian wrote that the film is "entertainingly absurd and yet the pure conviction and deadpan focus that Fassbender and Fincher bring to this ballet of anonymous professionalism makes it very enjoyable."[18] IndieWire's Ryan Lattanzio found it "as unfeeling as any Fincher thriller, at once predictable in its simplicity but also strangely daring because of it".[19]

Accolades
Year Award / Film Festival Category Recipient(s) Result Ref(s)
Venice International Film Festival September 9, 2023 Golden Lion David Fincher Nominated [20]
Premio Soundtrack Stars Award - Special Mention Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross Won [21]

References
  1. "The Killer". La Biennale di Venezia. July 11, 2023. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  2. Kroll, Justin (February 24, 2021). "David Fincher Reunites with His Seven Screenwriter for Feature Adaptation of The Killer at Netflix; Michael Fassbender Circling Lead Role". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  3. "The Killer". La Biennale di Venezia. July 11, 2023. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  4. "David Fincher's the Killer Teased in New Image". July 26, 2023.
  5. Fleming, Michael (November 1, 2007). "Paramount, Fincher catch Killer". Variety. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  6. Sharf, Zack (June 24, 2021). "David Fincher to Film The Killer in Paris This Fall with Mank Oscar-Winning DP Messerschmidt". IndieWire. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  7. Perez, Rodrigo (October 8, 2021). "Tilda Swinton Is Joining David Fincher's The Killer Starring Michael Fassbender [Exclusive]". The Playlist. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  8. Sharf, Zack (June 24, 2021). "David Fincher to Film The Killer in Paris This Fall with Mank Oscar-Winning DP Messerschmidt". IndieWire. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  9. "Award-winning director David Fincher will film The Killer in Chicago area". Reel Chicago. January 21, 2022. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  10. Thomas, Michael (May 3, 2023). "The Killer: Release Date, Cast, Plot, and Everything We Know About David Fincher's Next Movie". Collider. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  11. Kreps, Daniel (February 3, 2023). "Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross Compose Score for David Fincher's Next Film 'The Killer'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  12. Lattanzio, Ryan (September 3, 2023). "Why David Fincher Chose The Smiths for Michael Fassbender's Zen 'Meditation' Soundtrack in 'The Killer'". IndieWire. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  13. ""The Killer" de David Fincher, film sorpresa del Zinemaldia". EiTB. September 26, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  14. "The 28th Busan International Film Festival: Selection List". Busan International Film Festival. September 5, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  15. Grobar, Matt (August 30, 2023). "Netflix Sets Fall Movie Release Dates For The Killer, 'Pain Hustlers', Sly, Wes Anderson's The Wonderful Story Of Henry Sugar & More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  16. "The Killer". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  17. "The Killer". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  18. Bradshaw, Peter (September 3, 2023). "The Killer review – terrific David Fincher thriller about a philosophising hitman". The Guardian. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  19. Lattanzio, Ryan (September 3, 2023). "'The Killer' Review: David Fincher Executes a Sleek If Small Michael Fassbender Thriller Armed with Existential Futility". IndieWire. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  20. Vivarelli, Nick (July 25, 2023). "Venice Lineup Includes Films by Bradley Cooper, Sofia Coppola, Ava DuVernay, David Fincher and More". Variety. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  21. "COLLATERAL AWARDS OF THE 80TH VENICE FILM FESTIVAL". La Biennale di Venezia. September 8, 2023. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
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