David Fincher is thriving in his home ground of murder-thrillers with his latest, The Killer. It is a very trademark Fincher film – cerebral, ingeniously paced, and obsessive. Michael Fassbender stars as the anonymous protagonist, and is perhaps the perfect channel to deliver a portrayal as frigid as we see. Simply put, The Killer is like a video autobiography, except we see the events in real time as they unfold.
The Killer is believed to be an adaptation of Alexis ‘Matz’ Nolent’s graphic novel of the same name. like most Fincher films. In the film, the anonymous killer begins his story as he narrates his routine, his methods – alluding to his self-claimed perfection. He is in the process of making his next clean kill, repeating phrases of motivation to keep him calm. Except, his plan fails and sends him into a frantic spree to clear his act. Despite being assured by his handler that it will be taken care of, the killer finds himself betrayed when he learns his home and partner have been attacked. To set things straight again, he decides he must take care of this domino effect that he has landed himself in. In his own words, there is a constant attempt to tie all loose threads at a scene. It is what it seems like: a simple story. Yet, Fincher crafts it so well that you wait for the twists and turns that detail it beautifully.
The pace of The Killer is akin to that of a situation like the calm before the storm. Fincher paces his story in an excellent way, twisting it at points you’d never expect. The killer painstakingly stalks out his prey, which itches you to tap on that 10-second forwarding button. But just as you’re about to do it, Fincher delivers the blow, hard. In moments when the killer has his thoughts in an overdrive, the pace is quickened to match that of his mind. This is very evidently done when he panics after his backfired hit, in a quick move to evade having himself in jail. Fincher deliberately troubles the killer in ways to show that his perfect, cool-cum-devious mindset will not always guarantee him success. Success is something that the killer wants to achieve, no matter what it takes. This is the crux that keeps The Killer on such a thrilling ride throughout its duration.
Fincher also reunites with his Se7en screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker and Gone Girl cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt, making The Killer nothing short of a visual treat. The film had a very quiet run in the festival circle before its worldwide release on Netflix.
Michael Fassbender’s performance is the star of the movie; it gives you nothing short of chills. He is a scheming, dedicated, and well, a hardworking man that plans unlike anyone else. In one particular scene, as a victim hopelessly offers an incentive in return for mercy, Fassbender gives her the most frigid stare as his character reminds him to “forbid empathy”. The killer is always posed with dilemmas throughout the film, but never once lets that confusion reflect on his face. Fassbender’s skill helps make the film more eerie and sinister, in the best of ways.
The character is an irony himself. While his real-time relaying of thoughts implies his meticulousness, something so silly happens that all of his detailed plans blow up right in his face. He also takes a dig at his own mastered art, constantly citing how boring the job is. In a way, the killer is narrating – again, constantly – what it takes to be someone like him. He is a man of few words, but his head is never once silent. He duly listens to some rather direct tunes of The Smiths at work. The killer joins Fincher’s exhaustive group of conscientious characters – who actually do well in baring their sinister selves for the world to see. By launching into a psychological fourth-wall break, the killer attempts to form a bond with the everyday individual. The killer takes you with him to work. At some points, you are bound to feel sorry at his state of affairs.
The only notable performance apart from Fassbender is Tilda Swinton’s, who plays The Expert. Our killer finally confronts someone of his likes, and carefully observes her mannerisms and the things she says. Both them and the viewer knows what is about to happen, but the most interesting part of the exchange that the two share. The Expert is an exact opposite of the Killer, who is not so obsessed with her line of work.
The Killer is a definite pick for Fincher fans, because it doesn’t get any more Fincher-y than this. Fincher makes fun of his own character, which is evident in the trouble the killer is put in. Be warned, however, that this movie is not an adrenaline rush. Nonetheless, it doesn’t fail to entertain.