From Jeff Nelson

From Se7en to Gone Girl, director David Fincher brings a fascinating lens to the world of crime that’s impossible to turn away from. In his first feature film since 2020’s Mank, he returns with a stylistic assassin tale in The Killer. Fincher takes a philosophical mood approach to the neo-noir action thriller that is actually more about sociological and psychological ideology than the killing, for better and for worse.

Based on writer Alexis “Matz” Nolent and artist Luc Jacamon’s French comic book of the same name, The Killer follows an unnamed assassin (Michael Fassbender) who makes a fatal error while on a job. He sets his sights on a new manhunt that puts his employers and their contractors on his list, insisting that it’s only business. However, this mission forces him to confront the very foundation of his own code that he claims to live by.

Screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker approaches The Killer with an introspective perspective, rooting much of the six-chapter (plus an epilogue) story and the dialogue within the unnamed assassin’s mind as voice-over narration. He sits at a vantage point, aware of the boredom that comes with patiently waiting for the target to make himself vulnerable for a kill shot. Everything is about efficiency from his quick meals of nutrition to the way that he sleeps, using yoga to center himself in waiting and music to distract when his finger is resting on the trigger. The title character’s past remains ambiguous, but his methods and actions are what define him.

This hired assassin repeatedly reminds himself to “follow the plan,” which involves removing empathy from his work and never improvising when faced with unforeseen circumstances. The Killer is a revenge story that strips away much of the action that would ordinarily come with such a narrative, putting the focus on a man’s set of rules that grow increasingly out of his control. This mission challenges the perspective that got him this far, showcasing its limitations.

The climax is a soft whisper that resists exploding into an action frenzy, proving consistent to its tone throughout. A vigorous fight scene finds its way into the picture long before The Killer reaches its conclusion, demonstrating the potential of the nameless killer. Fincher’s film goes brutal when it needs to, but it holds an emotional detachment from it, leaving the protagonist’s uncompromising nature in its wake.

The Killer isn’t all seriousness. In fact, it’s actually darkly comical when looking at it with a slightly different inflection. The killer is a self-proclaimed master of his trade, but his streak of perfection comes to a screeching halt after making a single grave mistake on an assignment. He continues to make small errors along the way, occasionally poking fun at the sort of anti-James Bond character and his universe. Some of it borders on self-parody, although Walker’s screenplay finds ways of re-centering itself to avoid going too far into such territory.

Fassbender and Fincher are a dream pairing, effortlessly navigating the intimidating presence of a man who denies empathy. His cold stare penetrates deep into the soul and his voice-over narration is chilling and commanding. Tilda Swinton makes a remarkable impression with the small role of The Expert, bringing a substantial amount of characterization within a short amount of screentime. 

Cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt brings a unique look and feel to each of the locales that the killer travels to. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ score absolutely rips, delivering on a rousing and propulsive sound that effortlessly draws on the film’s dark subtleties. 

The Killer is an icy-cold thriller encircling an assassin’s philosophical crisis with a mesmerizing performance from Fassbender. The sole action sequence is exceptional, but it won’t be enough for some audiences. Fincher is more interested in the psyche of his protagonist, who’s a perfectionist making mistakes of varying magnitudes. It’s a straightforward, competently-made revenge tale that puts mood and introspection over viewer gratification.

Rating: 3.5/5

The Killer hits theaters on October 27th, 2023, and it streams on Netflix starting on November 10th, 2023.

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