Netflix's The Killer movie review: David Fincher & Michael Fassbender’s assassin thriller is captivating but slow-paced

Cast: Michael Fassbender, Arliss Howard, Charles Parnell, Kerry O’Malley, Sala Baker, Sophie Charlotte, and Tilda Swinton

Director: David Fincher

Filmmaker David Fincher has given us some of the most mind-boggling cult films in the form of Fight Club, Seven, The Social Network, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Girl With A Dragon Tattoo, Gone Girl and many more. Now, the maverick filmmaker’s upcoming thriller, The Killer based on the novel of the same name by Alexis “Matz” Nolent featuring Michael Fassbender in the titular role, is set to stream on Netflix.

While it has garnered positive response in the film festivals, does it live up to expectations compared to Fincher’s previous films? Let’s find out…

The plot revolves around an anonymous hitman (Fassbender) who misses a hit for the first time in his career. After that, his girlfriend is brutally attacked and he comes to know that his handler and client have planned that hit. The killer then decides to take on everyone who are involved in this hit and travels to different parts of the US to hunt them.

While the story looks simple and nothing unusual, it is the trademark style of Fincher along with Fassbender’s dry humour, which gives this film a different touch. You can’t deny the fact that it lacks depth compared to filmmaker’s previous work nor it has a fast-paced narrative but the excellence in the technical department including Erik Messerschmidt’s cinematography keeps you intrigued.

Michael Fassbender, who comes back on the screen after four long years, impresses with his layered portrayal. His intense act, when he unleashes as the merciless and masterful assassin, shows his range of emotions. When he says, “My process is purely logistical,” or “Empathy is weakness. Weakness is vulnerability,” while hunting the attackers across the Dominican Republic, New Orleans, Miami, New York, and Chicago, you witness his ruthless through his action and eyes (which he never blinked throughout the film).

Other supporting members, Charles Parnell as his handler and lawyer Hodges, Kelly O’Malley as Dolores, and Tilda Swinton as the Expert played their part to the T. The confrontation scene between Fassbender and Swinton is shot superbly to give you an intense and engaging experience.

On the whole, The Killer might not be among David’s best works but it does stand out for its performances and technical excellence.

Rating: 3 (out of 5 stars)

The Killer will stream on Netflix from 10 November

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