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INTRODUCTION
In December 2015, Broad Green Pictures was negotiating rights to The Killer’s Game. In February 2018, STXfilms picked up the project, with D.J. Caruso writing and directing the film with Jason Statham to star. Soon, Jason Statham exited from the movie and Dave Bautista joined it to star in the movie. Months later, the cast was joined by Ice Cube, and in September 2019, the cast welcomed Morena Baccarin and Kris Wu.
Caruso and Peter Landesman have since rewritten the script, in preparation for shooting which is slated to start on December 2, 2019, in the Dominican Republic. Shooting location for the film By March 2024, it had been reported that Terry Crews had replaced Ice Cube.
“The Killer’s Game” is an action-comedy film directed by J. J. Perry and written by Rand Ravich and James Coyne, based on the homonymous 1997 novel by Jay Bonansinga.
Several actors from Marvel appear in it, including Ben Kingsley, Dave Bautista, and Pom Klementieff. The rest of the cast consists of Sofia Boutella, Terry Crews, Scott Adkins, and Marko Zaror.
Lionsgate released “The Killer’s Game” in the United States on September 13, 2024, and this film runs for over 1 hour and 40 minutes. It is rated R for strong bloody violence throughout, some language, some sexual material, brief drug use, and nudity.
THE KILLER’S GAME OFFICIAL TRIALER (2024)
WHAT IS THE KILLER’S GAME 2024 ABOUT?
The Killer’s Game is a story about Joe Flood, an extremely talented and experienced killer who has never missed his aim but has shown cold behavior to others. Joe spent years in the dark underbelly, pulling contracts for everyone from governments to organized crime.
However, his life takes a different turn when he is diagnosed with a fatal disease. In light of either agony from a debilitating illness or a slow and torturing collapse, pragmatic, self-determining Joe took things into his own hands. He contacted a hitman to ensure that he would die on his terms, free from suffering.
Shortly after having issued the kill order, Joe receives the shocking news that the diagnosis had been a mistake, and he is healthy. By that time, however, the wheels have already been set in motion, and his life is in grave danger. The assassin’s code is that a contract, once taken, must be fulfilled. He is now pursued by a highly professional army of killers, most of whom he either trained or with whom he worked. They know his tactics, his weaknesses, and his methods.
In a desperate race for survival, Joe must call on every ounce of skill, every shred of ingenuity, and every last piece of experience to outwit and destroy those who are chasing him. Every encounter became a fatal game of cat and mouse, with Joe being subjected to fight only with those who best understood him. As the body count rises, Joe begins to question not just his mortality, but also life lived and the morality of the profession he has spent decades perfecting. On the way, he even finds out who sent this false diagnosis in the first place and whether this was more than just a mistake.
MY TAKE ON THE KILLER’S GAME
The Killer’s Game is a film that not only successfully balances the sights of intense violence with humor but also knows exactly what it aims to be: entertaining.
While it doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that is refreshing from the more serious and dramatic action movies that have been filmed lately. Certainly, with larger-than-life characters, and creative over-the-top action sequences, this is something that seems like it has been plucked directly from the pages of a comic book.
More or less, there is no expectation of anything even remotely coming close to depth in story depth and originality.
While fun, the movie’s plot is predictable, not breaking any new ground. However, The Killer’s Game is an entertaining watch that manages to keep you engaged until the end.
THE KILLER’S GAME (2024) FILM REVIEW
CHARACTER PERFORMANCE
The biggest highlight of this movie is certainly its cast. The lead role of Joe Flood, played by Dave Bautista, is a wonder in himself. Seen mostly as a stoic and on many occasions as quirky in films like Guardians of the Galaxy, Bautista pulls off a similar charm in this movie as well.
His character is a hitman who suffers from a terminal illness that amazingly brings a lot of vulnerability to the regular tough-guy persona. You can almost feel his inner turmoil as Joe struggles with coming to terms with his impending death and yet trying to protect the woman he loves.
Equally impressive is Sofia Boutella as Maize. It seems so natural to see her in the role of a ballet dancer, dancing in elegance and grace.
The chemistry between her and Bautista is believable and touching. As if she was not given nearly as much screen time as Bautista, her presence can still be felt throughout the movie. The romantic angle between Joe and Maize is an added emotional weight that an otherwise action-heavy plot carries.
Ben Kingsley, being Joe’s mentor, does bring gravitas into the movie, as expected, and with a sense of wit. His scenes with Bautista are some of the most emotionally resonant and give the movie a bit more weight.
VISUAL DESIGN AND CINEMATOGRAPHY
The visual element is also a standout element in this film. The fight scenes are supremely choreographed, and one can tell that J.J. Perry is a stuntman/stunt coordinator who has turned director.
Every punch thrown, every kick laced, and every bullet shot has that real visceral feel since the movie does not save any punches by showing violence in all gory detail.
The color and lighting aspects also make for a very comic-book feel of this movie. Whether it’s the bright neon-lit streets of Budapest or the dark, interior settings of a church where some showdown happens, the cinematography drags you right into this hyper-stylized world of assassins.
There is a playful underpinning to how the film was shot; there are moments of very dark humor mixed into the action. The overuse of grenades stands out as one of the most memorable aspects. It seems almost silly yet strangely fitting for this kind of movie.
WRITING STYLE AND STORY
The Killer’s Game has far from an outstanding storyline, but an uncomplicated and efficiently working plot.
The storyline is simple and somewhat predictable, but it’s the characters and relationships that serve as its core attractions. Joe’s inner battle with his imminent death, his love for Maize, and his loyalty to his mentor are the emotional threads stitched into the seams that keep this film together. The dialogue, at times shallow, sprinkles humor that keeps the tone light during the most entertaining parts of the film.
THEMES
On the surface, The Killer’s Game is about mortality, love, and redemption. Joe Flood is a man who has taken lives his whole life, and now, while facing his death, he wants to make things right. The film explores finding purpose in life, even if for only a few months.
It’s about the relationship between Joe and Maize, which, is love against death. The way Joe keeps his secret is supposed to protect Maize, but this denial also stands in his way of true happiness. It’s a movie that tries to prove that even someone with a violent past can be saved through love and connections.
There is even a sense of faith present only in the third act of the movie, which is in a church. A priest, strangely enough, became an ally for Joe and added to the story an underlying suggestion of religious undertones.
CONCLUSION
The Killer Game is not the movie that was doomed to garner Oscars or encourage some deep philosophical debate. Nevertheless, it’s an action movie that realizes what it wants to be and lives up to that promise. It’s a film that excels at providing fun, high-octane entertainment with some genuinely funny moments and memorable characters.
Performances, particularly by Dave Bautista and Sofia Boutella, add heart to this otherwise gory and excessively blood-filled story.
My Advice? Go into this movie expecting a fun, escapist action movie with creative fight scenes, and you will not be let down. It does not take itself seriously at all, and sometimes that is exactly what you need for a good time at the movies.
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