"The Killer" is currently dominating Netflix's Top 10, jumping to #1 in the film category in its first weekend on the streaming service. However, not everyone who has seen the film so far has had a great time.
As of this writing, The Killer's ratings on Rotten Tomatoes are fairly evenly split between critics and audiences. Currently, critics like the film, giving it an 86% "fresh" rating and an average score of 7.4 out of 10. Audiences are not far behind in terms of pure scores (3.4 out of 5), but they are not enjoying the film, with only 63% rating it "fresh." Lucky for me, I was already eager to see "The Killer," so I replayed it on Netflix this weekend to see for myself whether it is a David Fincher masterpiece that I should watch now, or a surprising flop worth skipping.
Before I get into my thoughts on "The Killer," let's see what others from the critics have to say about it first.
As noted above, critics overall were favorable to Fincher's latest film about a hit man starring Michael Fassbender. The critical consensus was that "The Killer proves that director David Fincher is firmly established in stylish and engaging thrillers and is a perfect match for Michael Fassbender in the lead role." [This sentiment was echoed by Daval Roy of "Times of India," who said, "Fincher's skill is on display, and while it may not keep you on the edge of your seat, it keeps your mind engaged." [ABC News' Peter Travers also enjoyed "The Killer," saying, "Fincher's deliciously depraved hypothesis is that his perfectionist process is not unlike that of a killer. In his hands, Fassbinder's seductive title turn what could have been a killer cliche into a tangle of loose ends left unresolved. Critics, however, were not all favorable. Perhaps the cruelest feedback came from Movie Nation's Roger Moore, who said only three simple words: "John Wick Lite." More on how I felt about that critique a little later.
Reading the audience reviews of "The Killer," the situation is definitely worse than "John Wick Lite." "Terrible movie. A waste of time," "style over substance," and "boring."
For what it's worth, my wife, who saw it with me, sided with those who were disappointed with the film. She was always right, of course, but did I agree with her and many others who saw the film?
Unfortunately, I largely agree with the many negative comments about "The Killer," one of my most anticipated films of the year. Remember the critics who called the film "John Wick-lite"? Maybe "Fight Club Lite" is a little more accurate, but I have thought the same thing when I watched it.
Nevertheless, "Killer" has Fincher's style and superb craftsmanship. From the sounds of the scenes to Trent Reznor's score to Fincher's masterful use of the film's soundtrack (yes, the film has a score and a soundtrack), Fincher's use of sound in particular is excellent and he skillfully controls the audience to feel as he wants them to feel.
Unfortunately, while the film builds to a wonderful crescendo towards the finale, the ending falls flat and leaves one wanting more. Even though Fincher's style is phenomenal, I felt that the criticism that it is style over substance is a valid one.
If you're looking for something to watch on Netflix this week, I recommend skipping The Killer. If you're a big Fincher fan, you might enjoy it. But for this Fincher fan, "The Killer" didn't have a set landing spot.
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