Guillermo del Toro has offered a rave review of the new Netflix thriller The Killer, praising director David Fincher while comparing the movie to other works. The new film follows Michael Fassbender as the Killer, a contract assassin who soon finds himself on a quest for revenge. Critics have praised the movie for its engaging story and Fassbender’s performance.
Now, Guillermo del Toro has posted a review adding to the critical praise of The Killer.
In his rave review, del Toro compares Fincher’s work as a combination of Charles Bronson, Jean-Paul Sartre, Jean-Pierre Melville, and Don Siegel. He also calls it “a film and a movie at the same time,” indicating it is a thrilling watch accompanied by deeper thematic meaning.
Why The Killer Is a Riveting Netflix Original
The Killer is based on a series of French comics of the same name, following a contract killer as he does jobs for multiple clients. However, the film focuses on only one single job which upends the protagonist’s life, leading to a tale of vengeance. Fincher utilizes his skills from other dark works like Se7en and Mindhunter to create a multilayered story about the consequences of leading a life of crime.
The Killer features multiple deaths that resonate with the movie’s idea of one mistake leading to a myriad of terrible effects. Because Fassbender’s character is the one carrying out these killings, the movie presents the perspective of a cold-blooded murderer who changes over time. His characterization becomes a key part of the film, which explores his developing mindset as he enacts revenge.
With a dark, somber tone and narration from Fassbender’s Killer, Fincher’s latest Netflix contribution is a dark look into the life and mindset of a hitman. As del Toro notes, the movie pulls from multiple channels of influence to craft a unique story about revenge. This makes The Killer a highly-engrossing experience that feels different from many of the other movies Fincher is known for creating.
The Killer (2023)
- Release Date:
- 2023-11-10
- Director:
- David Fincher
- Cast:
- Michael Fassbender, Tilda Swinton, Kerry O’Malley, Charles Parnell, Lacey Dover, Monique Ganderton, Sala Baker
- Rating:
- R
- Runtime:
- 118 Minutes
- Genres:
- Action, Adventure, Crime
- Writers:
- Andrew Kevin Walker
- Story By:
- Alexis Nolent, Luc Jacamon
- Studio(s):
- Plan B Entertainment, Boom! Studios
- Distributor(s):
- Netflix