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31 years ago, David Fincher shot his way into the world of cinema. Already a successful music video director, he got his first chance with a sequel to Aliens, an experience that, admittedly, left him scarred and bitter about the whole Hollywood machinery. Maybe it was that moment when he decided he would be "one of the few, not one of the many".
Ever since, Fincher has crafted a successful career anchored in isolated and obsessed characters; perfectionists, perhaps like himself. The Killer is no exception. The film follows the titular unnamed hitman (Michael Fassbender) as he meticulously prepares for a job, all while we listen to his random musings about places he's been, McDonald's, and life in general. But when the job goes wrong, he finds himself in the crosshairs of his employers.
Coming after films like Mank and Gone Girl, The Killer feels like a return to basics for Fincher. It is a fairly lean, simple, stripped down film about a man looking for revenge. But even though that might sound formulaic, Fincher is "not one of the many". So what we get is a cold, but technically impressive version of that as we look into the process of a meticulous hitman.
The main highlight is definitely Fincher's direction, which is flawless, but the cinematography and the use of sound are also impressive. Fassbender is great in a film that demands him to be, since it rests solely on his shoulders. But the sparse supporting cast, most notably Tilda Swinton, are just as good.
But where Fincher makes sure he's "one of the few, not one of the many" is in how he subverts our expectations on how this killer should operate, and what he's supposed to find as he goes up the ladder. Fincher takes the risk of not necessarily giving us what we expect, while instead peeling a few thin layers off of this character to try to understand why he does what he does.
I ended up seeing this film twice in a week, mostly because I was set to talk about it for a podcast, but that second watch surely helped. After my first watch, I wasn't really sure where I stood with it, but the second watch really helped me appreciate it more. Even though I still wish there was a bit more to chew on, Fincher elevates this above many other hitman films. That's why he is "one of the few, not one of the many".
Grade:
THE KILLER
(2023, Fincher)
(2023, Fincher)
"Whatever it takes, make sure you're one of the few, not one of the many."
31 years ago, David Fincher shot his way into the world of cinema. Already a successful music video director, he got his first chance with a sequel to Aliens, an experience that, admittedly, left him scarred and bitter about the whole Hollywood machinery. Maybe it was that moment when he decided he would be "one of the few, not one of the many".
Ever since, Fincher has crafted a successful career anchored in isolated and obsessed characters; perfectionists, perhaps like himself. The Killer is no exception. The film follows the titular unnamed hitman (Michael Fassbender) as he meticulously prepares for a job, all while we listen to his random musings about places he's been, McDonald's, and life in general. But when the job goes wrong, he finds himself in the crosshairs of his employers.
Coming after films like Mank and Gone Girl, The Killer feels like a return to basics for Fincher. It is a fairly lean, simple, stripped down film about a man looking for revenge. But even though that might sound formulaic, Fincher is "not one of the many". So what we get is a cold, but technically impressive version of that as we look into the process of a meticulous hitman.
The main highlight is definitely Fincher's direction, which is flawless, but the cinematography and the use of sound are also impressive. Fassbender is great in a film that demands him to be, since it rests solely on his shoulders. But the sparse supporting cast, most notably Tilda Swinton, are just as good.
But where Fincher makes sure he's "one of the few, not one of the many" is in how he subverts our expectations on how this killer should operate, and what he's supposed to find as he goes up the ladder. Fincher takes the risk of not necessarily giving us what we expect, while instead peeling a few thin layers off of this character to try to understand why he does what he does.
I ended up seeing this film twice in a week, mostly because I was set to talk about it for a podcast, but that second watch surely helped. After my first watch, I wasn't really sure where I stood with it, but the second watch really helped me appreciate it more. Even though I still wish there was a bit more to chew on, Fincher elevates this above many other hitman films. That's why he is "one of the few, not one of the many".
Grade: