The Killer
Director: David Fincher
12 November 2023
See
Him: David Fincher, the Lord of Darkness, returns with as unsympathetic a protagonist as ever The Killer (michael Fassben der) is a methodical hitman, preparing to sniper a target. It goes awry but by sticking to his plan he gets away, only to have to deal with the consequences. His home life is attacked so he goes after the client he disappointed.
Her: Michael Fassbender as a high profile killer in the newest movie directed by David Fincher. He makes no mistakes, he perfected his method. Until one day he does and in his line of work mistakes are unforgivable. When his girlfriend gets punished by accident the killer embarks on a personal vendetta mission to find and destroy everyone who was involved in it.
Think
Him: This is the thinking person's John Wick, or Taken. There’s plot, not just action. The suspense is in the build up and reaction to the plan not working out. The best scene is where Michael Fassbender finally gets to act opposite The Expert (Tilda Swindon). The other fight scene was less exciting to me than how he infiltrates spaces to get close and personal. Makes you think ‘who is observing my routine?’
Her: The film’s pace is slow, calm and collected just like the main character is. Fincher really takes time to let the audience adjust and fully dive into the killers headspace by long and detailed internal dialogues interfered by the sound of Morrissey's voice - the only music he listens to. I like the smiths but always thought their music is too monotonous and could only handle max two songs played consecutively. Maybe that’s why I could never be a serial killer.
Feel
Him: The ending feels open to sequels. I’m glad David Fincher isn’t the type. Instead just working through his multi picture deal with Netflix since Mindhunter. Less murder, more social network please.
Her: After finishing watching the movie for the third time, I realised that the film about a serial professional killer that has a happy ending should not feel as satisfying as it did. Fincher mastered his skill of fucking with everyone’s minds softly, so that you would never notice. The transformation of the main character is also ever so subtle and is only shown through the final scene where he decides not to kill the man who ordered to kill him. Maybe that was his way to get out of the game and live a quiet life on the island. After all, everyone wants to retire one day, even professional killers.
