The appeal of all David Fincher work is multifaceted, but the core element among them has to be his characters. No matter what is the focus of the narrative or what is the visual setting of a film, his characters remain front and center. The Killer does not deviate from that concept and instead doubles down on it, albeit in a novel manner.
The unnamed protagonist of his latest film is, like the title states, a killer. But, he is a professional hitman to whom the process of death-dealing is an organized, meticulous venture. Usually, he is very good at it. However, when the killing and hurting comes perilously close to those he loves, the process takes on a different form.
Starring Michael Fassbender, the movie is an expensive-looking action flick but which remains steadily grounded as well. The Killer is not a perfect machine of homicide, but a slightly confused professional in uncharted personal waters. Clean of all forms of empathy and compassion, the Killer slowly finds himself drifting away from these pillars of his work so far. But, as that takes place, some new insights also open up for the same characters, all of which are masterfully captured by a manically-committed Fassbender. Yet, unlike Gone Girl, which also has a strong leading role, this film blends that role with everything else as well. There are more positive and appealing elements in the film as well.
Starring Michael Fassbender, the movie is an expensive-looking action flick but which remains steadily grounded as well. The Killer is not a perfect machine of homicide, but a slightly confused professional in uncharted personal waters. Clean of all forms of empathy and compassion, the Killer slowly finds himself drifting away from these pillars of his work so far. But, as that takes place, some new insights also open up for the same characters, all of which are masterfully captured by a manically-committed Fassbender. Yet, unlike Gone Girl, which also has a strong leading role, this film blends that role with everything else as well. There are more positive and appealing elements in the film as well.
From the beginning to the end, the plot steers clear of any James Bond-like twist and turns, rejecting both glamor and mystery of international murder-for-hire. Instead, it showcases it just as any other line of work, but one that involves shooting, stabbing and murdering in general. That makes it both fresh and fun, even at the very end, which is atypical and full in line with the rest of this ordinary-looking, but very unique film. Honestly, we didn’t expect anything less from the great David Fincher and just as great Michael Fassbender.
