The Killer - David Fincher's most personal film
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 พ.ย. 2023
- Hiya! In this video essay I am going to (do my best to) convince you that The Killer is David Fincher's most personal and existential film yet.
Our Podcast: linktr.ee/the_film_draft
My Feature Film: / incurablemovie
The Killer is directed by David Fincher, written by Kevin Andrew Walker, produced and distributed by Netflix. - ภาพยนตร์และแอนิเมชัน
Finally someone else who appreciates the genius of this film
Yeah bro I realised how much of an immature viewer I am after watching the explanation videos of the movie man . The depth and curiosity with which we must watch a movie to appreciate it and experience its beauty .
My friend and I throughly enjoyed this whole movie 2 months ago. We get high 🌿 and watch a movie every Sunday. Sundays are all fun and games until 5 pm rolls around 😢
I loved a detail that I don't see people talking about. The inner monologue over the run of the film is similar to the one of Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver, for example. But in that movie the monologue was mostly Travis writing stuff in another point in time and we hear it during his actions. But in this movie, I think the killer is actively thinking about his mantra during the scenes, and that's why it stops when he's interrupted in the moment. And I think that's interesting because to me a lot of the movie is about the killer convincing himself of his own mantra and that he doesn't give a fuck, but he clearly doesn't stick by his own rules, and that's why he has to be repeating them in his head. The interrupting was a very cool way of showing that dynamic inside of his mind at any moment.
I know right? I wanna see that video essay and no one is making it
I really love those small details about the inner monologue, especially because it makes the movie feel sort of intimate despite the fact we're watching a literal assassin kill people, some of whom are innocent (poor Leo). It's a really cool contrast.
While I didn't like the film, the inner monologue was the best part. What is likely lost on many viewers is that the inner monologue isn't truthful. It's the characters "truth," but it's not aligned with what viewers observe of the character.
The Killer (the character) is not good at his job, but, as his inner monologue let's us know, he very much so thinks he is.
I like to compare this movie with The Irishman, because both films have their directors indulging in their most well know tropes and using them to either self-relflexion/criticisim or self-satire.
My fav film this year. Gets better with every watch.
Absolutely same here
Like the narrator in Fight Club we never know the Killer's name, he only uses aliases from characters in old tv shows similar to how the narrator in Fight Club uses aliases referencing old movies in the support groups.
Brilliant movie, with pleasures layered on pleasures, a few perfectly placed bombshell gags, tremendous mood, remarkable tone and style, wit, and a totally gripping shot-by-shot progression of story. And yet with all that, the film doesn't pat itself on the back for any of that, or take your interest for granted. I intend to watch it again, soon, more than once. Good video - I agree it's an exciting film from DF.
Great video. You're audio needs to be louder though, I need to turn it up to a 100% and use the Boost Volume feature on my TH-cam Enhancer addon in order to comfortably hear the video on my laptop.
I had not listened to “How soon is now” by The Smiths in so many years. As soon as the song came on I thought yeah this is the perfect song for this scene.
Great appraisal, I loved this as well. It felt like Fincher was a Surgeon and Fassbender was his scalpel.
Thanks heaps! Fincher always directs like a surgeon, his utensils are just different every time! Although wow Fassbender was terrific
I saw many parallels with the killer and fight club (protagonist talking to themselves, constant flights, protagonist having many names, end scene with a woman, love interest of the woman having similar names - marla vs magda) that i thought this movie was tyler durden years later.
I didn’t even pick up on Marla/Magda, great point!
Same writer. I liked it!
But it's just a theory, a film theory...
Fincher is my favorite director also! The Killer is just amazing and quite streamlined. His use of product placement is akin to Fight Club. I was really disappointed that they’re was no theatre run in my area. I need to see Fincher’s films on the big screen before moving to streaming!! Dir. NP🎥
I’ve watched this in full four times. Brilliant.
I've seen it four times also! It will be at least a couple more by the end of the year too, there is always so many hidden things to find in this mans films
Well said, I really enjoyed the film and it seems like one that will benefit massively from repeated viewings. Has made me keen to read the series of comics it’s based on which are supposed to be equally stylish and thought-provoking
We need People like Fincher and Nolan the best directors in the world at this moment where almost 99.99999/100 of all films are crap
99% of films are crap if you only watch mainstream stuff lmao. Also what's objectively crap? Again, there's a ton of good films being made. I think people are just unable to overlook the big corporate movies and 'Hollywood' as a whole. I think that sort of thinking is a little harmful. People are so quick to jump on a bandwagon and hail something as genius, while overlooking it's many flaws just because it differs from the norm. Like this movie is a good movie for sure, but I think people are being a little too generous because the standard has become so low in recent years.
could you recommend some good non-mainstream films? @@notaspeck6104
@@notaspeck6104 Someone calling Nolan a best director in the world(and everything else crap) is usually a filmbro who probably watched like 5 films with subtitles in his entire life and watches exclusively mainstream big budget hollywood films so you got him there. The saddest irony is Nolan ain't even the best in his tiny sandbox with his pretentious blockbusters-he's terrible at directing actors and incredibly sloppy with action,not even to mention copious problems with his actual storytelling.
As for The Killer it's a 7/10 film. Servicable Fincher is what I'd call it. He should have stood by Manhunter,the best script he ever tackled. Such a shame both he and Netflix gave up on it in favor of...two 7/10 movies. Mank was about the same.
@@vivena9 I prefer watching good films in terms of cinematography and editing than social melodramas about destroyed people.And to tell you the truth these filmmakers who pretend they care about the homeless the sick the suffering people in real life wouldn’t give a s*** about them.They are hypocrites.I remember a film against diamond mining in Africa “Blood Diamond” those same actors in it were wearing diamond necklaces at the Oscars.At least Fincher is not pretentious and has said not to take films seriously but consider them a fake reality and a form of entertainment
So true. But also the guy who directed 2021 Dune: Denis Villenue i mispelled but you understand I’m sure. Yes, 90% to of all movies and tv shows suck nowadays in 2024
Well said. I personally loved this film.
Lovely work here. Kudos and thank you! Looking forward to more
Thankyou heaps!
A movie without a soul, just like main protagonist. Something you are not used to with Fincher.
Great video and analysis. I loved the film. This was Fincher at his best.
Quick note, I found your vocal track is really low compared to other clips. Not sure, it may be me, but it may be worth upping the gain on the mic audio next time. Cheers.
Completely agree with you, there needs to be a better theatrical release!! Also still waiting on a physical release
I want a physical release so badly
Great job on this! Loved this movie. At the end when I decided to subscribe, I realized I was your 156th sub. I really thought there would have been thousands more.
Thanks so so much! That really means a lot :)
in a time where using the word perfect is taboo have an automatic like.
hahaha yeah it works at being provocative for better and worse, but all publicity is good publicity
Please maximize your audio level before exporting!
My girlfriend kinda dozed off, but I was engrossed lol
It was good..... but i would basically put it above Alien 3, Panic Room and Benjamin Button. The Story is better than that of The Game, but The Game is muuuuch better directed. It is def still a gem. Not only does Fincher incorporate everyday tech was amazing, though i was setting the bar way too high with my expectations because of how wonderfully Park Chan Wook did it in Decision to Leave. The most fascinating part of the film is that Fincher distilled the most common contemporary lif philosophy, the one almost everyone in the western world has today in the western world, and ended up concluding that it is perfect for an assassin. Show's you how far the world has fallen.
longer format videos please, 10 to 15min, you got the right nerve bro
Thankyou brother ❤️
Saludos desde colombia 🇨🇴,mi hermoso muchael 💋❤️💋🌹💎🌹👑🌲🍀🇨🇴
Ernest Hemingway is to Old Man and the Sea as David Fincher is to The Killer
very interesting take but I can't disagree
i see you took some inspiration from nolan
💯 GREAT movie. The sound design,, especially during his getaway after the botched kill, BLEW ME AWAY. The scene in Hedges’ office was incredible - and suffused with sadism, as was the murder of his secretary. The juxtaposition of these scenes with the banality of those that follow, i.e., driving, eating, sipping coffee. The writing - WOW: “WWJWBD - What would John Wilkes Booth do?”
The joke about murdered wives not being sexually molested and on and on. The pit bull. Reminds me a little of Msn Bites Dog. One has to wonder whether making movies is Fincher’s way of sublimating fiendish desires. I could go and on, but suffice it to say, I enjoyed your review.
He's such a freak, i fucking love it
Also thought this was a great film.
When I hear the killer's inner monologue, to me, he genuinely sounds like a libertarian doomer who happens to kill people internationally for a living, I love this character, plus I think Fincher was poking fun at how he makes his characters in his work, which is this apparent feeling of an anomie-like fugue state in a world dissonant to it's own nihilism, with the definition of fugue being true in both it's musical definition and it's psychiatric definition, and the film cranks that aspect of Fincher's work up to 11 which is why I think he's poking fun at his film making style in a way, and that's always fun especially when a film is as good as this one is
Most people I talk to think it’s his worst film
I mean film is subjective so that’s fine, but I’m not sure how someone can think the Killer is worse than something like Alien 3 which David Fincher has publicly disowned (the directors cut is actually not bad imo)
I found this film such a waste of time and talent... Why this does exist when we have stuff like Le Samourai o Ghost Dog... I may be wrong but I only feel souless netflix shit full of product placement.
You can't be serious with this review. This is BY FAR Fincher's weakest film. And in confusing ways. I'm not one of the "the first act was boring" idiots. I loved it. But that's all I loved. As a Fincher nut, did you not notice the SUPER ODD handheld shots at the very beginning. As you said, Fincher doesn't do handheld. Especially on establishing shots. And they looked (poorly) stabilized. Very odd. And the VFX were horrible, which is also super odd for Fincher. Three of the absolute worst CG airplane shots I have ever seen. In the same movie! And Fincher movie? Weird. And then theres the "story." Wholly unoriginal, with zero payoff. And on top of it all, I didn't give two shits about any of the characters. Loved the score. And there were several flashes of brilliance in the writing. But overall, aggressively mediocre. For anyone. Much less Fincher. A total head scratcher.
Films are subjective. I thought it was excellent. Also I dont think the idea of the movie was to necessarily "feel" for the main character, we're merely observing him ("no empathy").
I didnt notice the poor effects myself, but in researching a bit it looks like the whole Paris apartment building was CGI'ed, and that went unnoticed...
@tam653. Sadly agree. Big Fincher head here and outside the first half hour this really had me wondering about Fincher’s decisions when I never question the master. I think the big thing that seemed absent was his profound and downright unsettling insight into behaviour and psychology. It seemed lacking Both in the characters and what he usually masterfully extracts from his actors in the way of performance. I’ve been unable to shake the feeling that it all seemed quite shallow in its interiority and characterisation (not to mention its overall themes)
I think the characters and their depths, the intricate original storylines were never the point of this movie. And yet it's still totally aligned with his filmography and with who he is, i think. He's always had this obsession for the technical mastery of a film and it's not even the first time he's shown it (panic room). Reflecting the character he depicts, he is quite the methodical man who is ultra keen on perfection, and to make a film where he wants to express that obsession, sacrificing complex and deep stuff for simplicity has its own kind of impact (at least for me) and is what makes this movie rather personal (as the video says). Letting go of the control by making a film solely about control. I'm sure he knows this isn't what a lot of people want from him and he still made it because he does not give a fuck
@@olivercoulter260Why doesn't the killer kill the client? Have you reflected on the protagonist's decisions? Cause I see many people talking about it being shallow but they don't even start to think about the choices in the movie and just watch it passively.
@@gonzalogallego9265 passive is the last state I’d enter a Fincher movie with. Thirsty, hungry? Ravenous, maybe? That being said I’d be ready to cop to missing something. plan to give it a rewatch soon, with all the new Fincher nerves dusted off i might feel differently
Most overrated movie of the year.
Personally i felt quite underwhelmed by this new Fincher, the philosophical and political themes weren't new and really felt written by a 17 yo who just read Nietzsche or Sartre for the first time, it hit all the clichés of the espionnage/secret agent/killer genre without making it into a thought provoking parody like Fight Club. None of the caracters were interesting or relatable to me so the stakes of the movie were at a net zero (we see his messed up girlfriend for a second and it's literally the fault of the main caracter which we are supposed to care about? wth). Anyway, the movie was way too long for such a simple story, a lot of the scenes add nothing interesting (like come on we get it, the guy is good at infiltrating is this a Oceans 11 movie or what?) , the dialogue wasn't as sharp or meaningful as in his other movies. I will not watch it again, as opposed to his other films. That being said the cinematography is excellent as always (except the helmet shot where we saw it floating not sinking but that's nitpicking). The message at the ending is refreshing in the social context we live in, but it's not really original neither. Maybe similar to the case of the Barbie movie, i'm just not the right crowd.
The movie would be Perfect without the inner voice, because it sounds too naive to me.
I agree that his philosophical themes were cliche but I think the naivety was the whole point of his monologues as he proves to contradict himself on his own philosophy many times in the movie. For example, he believes empathy was a weakness and chooses to forbid it yet he still stages the second girl's death in a natural manner. I believe the beginning was the most important part of the movie as he uses it to vent out most of his philosophical viewpoints just to break them in the following acts (which I also agree was way too long). The point is that The killer is very flawed and inconsistent with his actions and ideologies which is refreshing in the "espionnage/secret agent/killer genre" as they are often portayed as emotionless with constrained beliefs. The Killer sheds some much needed humanity on this genre as he fails to be just another John Wick.
@@morgan3692genuine question-- what would a non-naive voice of someone in his line of work sound like? Him at the end of the film or something else?
@@mrjojo2836 something more practical and grounded. You can hear good inner voice in "Dexter" or "You".
@@graybarron7695 You're totally right and i didn't manage to see it. In a way it's about humanizing the inhuman and showing that nobody has ever succeeded in following strictly imposed rules, because life always brings the unexpected.
Very weak movie from Fincher. Boring as hell - incompetent main charected - the story exists because everyone involved in the assassination and cleanup have no brains.