The Killer is, in many aspects, what one would anticipate from a David Fincher film revolving around a professional assassin: a meticulously crafted procedural that delves into the life of a hitman forced to adapt when his carefully controlled world starts to unravel. Through this narrative, which features a deadly perfectionist frequently repeating phrases like Forbid Empathy to maintain his focus, Fincher accentuates his reputation as a director known for his meticulous and almost obsessive attention to detail. While The Killer is adapted from a graphic novel by Alexis Matz Nolent, it carries a distinct sense of being Fincher’s most personal and resonant work to date.
Having a lead actor with a proven knack for portraying soulless characters certainly adds to the appeal, and Michael Fassbender brings a touch of David from Prometheus to David Fincher’s enigmatic protagonist in The Killer. The film kicks off with an extended voiceover scene, offering a glimpse of this assassin during a meticulous multi-day stakeout in Paris. He maintains surveillance on the café below, takes breaks to grab a quick meal at McDonald’s, and indulges in The Smiths’ music on a loop (a substantial portion of the band’s catalog contributes to the film’s remarkable soundtrack, enhancing its deadpan humor).
ALSO READ: Totally Killer Movie Review – 80s Nostalgic Thriller with Time Travel Twists, Horror, and Humor
Despite his grim profession, he endeavors to blend in, even explaining his choice of disguise as a German tourist since most French people tend to avoid them. In this character-defining prologue, Fincher and screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker, known for Seven, set a methodical pace that emphasizes that nothing is hurried. It offers a deliberate glimpse into the psyche of a killer who rationalizes his actions by juxtaposing them against the backdrop of the countless people born and dying each day, convincing himself that his deeds are but a drop in an immense bucket.
After a few days of surveillance in Paris, The Killer’s long-awaited target finally emerges in the penthouse across the street. However, something unexpected occurs, an event that has never happened to this hero before—he misses his mark, accidentally hitting an innocent bystander instead of the intended victim. Instantly, he comprehends the dire consequences of this mistake and rushes back to the Dominican Republic. There, he discovers his partner teetering on the brink of life, with the cleanup crew already having come for both of them. This is the point at which The Killer effectively abandons his own principles.
ALSO READ: 24 Timeless Movies That Never Grow Old – Cinematic Masterpieces You Can Watch Again and Again
He possesses secret storage units in various cities and substantial wealth stashed in foreign accounts, sufficient for him to vanish without a trace. He could choose to flee. However, the man who has always emphasized the importance of never improvising and keeping emotions out of his work takes a different path. He embarks on a mission to exact revenge on those who intruded into his sanctuary and those who hired them. While Arliss Howard, Charles Parnell, and Tilda Swinton play significant roles, this is essentially a one-man show—a tale of an unflinching assassin compelled to veer from his usual path and confront his more passionate side.
David Fincher’s undeniable passion for this project is palpable in every meticulously crafted frame. He revisits themes that have long captivated him—obsession, perfectionism, and power. Adding to the film’s excellence is the presence of some of his most accomplished collaborators, including cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt (Gone Girl), editor Kirk Baxter (The Social Network), and even Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, who take on the musical score. From a technical perspective, The Killer stands out among recent films of its kind, primarily due to the exceptional pedigree of the team behind it. It’s evident that they all share the same level of perfectionism as the notoriously meticulous filmmaker. This is the kind of production that thrives on a keen eye for detail. It’s not a film that should have rough edges; it succeeds because it’s as finely tuned as one of The Killer’s meticulously executed assignments.
Some viewers may question the choice of centering a narrative around an amoral character attempting to save himself, and it’s worth acknowledging that David Fincher and Andrew Kevin Walker do not attempt to whitewash this aspect. Throughout The Killer, I kept waiting for the film to try and humanize its lead character, but there’s no escaping the fact that he is, at his core, a cold-blooded murderer. The film doesn’t hold back on depicting the brutality of his actions. When he swiftly and unapologetically snapped one victim’s neck, it evoked gasps from my film festival audience, as if they had somehow expected a shred of mercy. However, mercy is not a component of this character’s toolkit. His approach to murder is completely devoid of emotion, marked by cold, calculated precision. This is not a tale of redemption; it’s a story of precision, of what unfolds when one of the most meticulous individuals in the world makes a rare mistake.
It’s true that Fincher and Walker appear to rush through the final act, particularly the remarkably brief epilogue. However, this perceived hastiness may become less of an issue upon a second viewing, as it aligns with the no-nonsense approach characteristic of the film’s title character.
While the description may make The Killer seem like a somber affair, it’s worth emphasizing that the film is, in fact, one of David Fincher’s funniest creations. It features a fantastic running gag involving the assassin’s use of fake names. Additionally, there’s a parade of familiar brands, including Starbucks, Amazon, WeWork, and even Wordle. This serves as a commentary on a world that has become commodified and distant enough to enable an assassin to operate unnoticed, primarily because people are too preoccupied with other matters. The killer capitalizes on this distraction to carry out his work.
The Killer undeniably exudes David Fincher’s distinctive style. Some might view it as a filmmaker revisiting his greatest hits with his most talented collaborators, but there’s a deeper dimension at play. This isn’t merely the work of an artist repeating himself; it’s a creative endeavor in which he reimagines his recurring themes and fixations, fashioning them into something bold and novel. Ultimately, the film raises questions about whether individuals like The Killer can isolate themselves from the world to accomplish their tasks. It also extends this inquiry to masterful creators like David Fincher and ponders whether they can similarly shut out the external world to craft their art.
The Killer movie make its theatrical debut on October 27th and will be available on Netflix starting November 10th.
