Film Review: "The Killer" (2023).

"Execution is everything" in The Killer. This neo-noir action thriller film directed by David Fincher, adapted by Andrew Kevin Walker, and based on the French graphic novel series of the same title by Alexis "Matz" Nolent. After a fateful near-miss, an assassin battles his employers and himself on an international manhunt he insists isn't personal.

In November 2007, it was reported that Fincher would be directing an adaptation of the Matz's French comic book series, with Allesandro Camon penning the adaptation. The film been a passion project for Fincher for nearly twenty years. Fincher was considering numerous projects for his follow-up to Mank (2020). However, it wasn't until he met with Michael Fassbender and they had several meetings together about this project. After having many in-depth discussions and seeing how committed Fassbender was in doing it, Fincher decided to make the film. By February 2021, Fincher had taken the project to Netflix, where he had signed an overall four-year deal, with Walker now penning the adaptation and Fassbender attached to star in the lead role. This is the second collaboration between Fincher and Walker following Se7en (1995). However, Walker did uncredited writing for Fincher's The Game (1997) and Fight Club (1999). By June, it was reported that Fincher was planning to begin filming in November 2021. By early November, Charles Parnell, Sala Baker, Tilda Swinton, and Arliss Howard rounded out the film's cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in late March 2022. Filming took place throughout Illinois, U.S.A. and Dominican Republic, as well as Los Angeles, California; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Paris, France. In February 2023, it was reported that Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross were hired to compose the film's score. In September, it was confirmed that the soundtrack will feature songs from English rock band The Smiths.

The film stars Fassbender, Parnell, Baker, Swinton, and Howard. Fassbender is the coolest killer to hit the screen since Alain Delon, a neo noir loner for the post modern era, in Fincher's austere neo-noir action thriller. Fassbender, who may be attacked by some narrow-minded reviewers for being stiff, is perfectly cast here, displaying a cool, calm demeanor at first, then an equally calm desperation as his mission gets more personal.

One can't expect less from a film that has been sintered by dozens. But there's something about the contemporary world that hypnotizes the viewer, few protagonists in the history of cinema have the presence of Fassbender. An absolute must-see. Minimal and breathtaking, Fincher's new film features an icy and smoldering lead performance from one of the coolest human beings to ever grace the big screen: Michael Fassbender. Working with and against genre conventions, Fincher's movies are hushed, dark abstractions of space and gesture, restrained, refined, a palette reduced to essential colors and compositions. Fincher is much more interested in procedures than action. The film is so stripped down that we learn as much as we need to know about Fassbender's titular character in the film's first five minutes.

Simon says The Killer receives:

Also, see my review for Mank.