Killer Joe (18)

Film

Thrillers

Matthew McConaughey in Killer Joe

Time Out rating:

<strong>Rating: </strong>3/5

User ratings:

<strong>Rating: </strong>3/5
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Time Out says

Tue Jun 26 2012

Missing presumed dead in the wake of a string of duds, ‘The Exorcist’ director William Friedkin’s edge made a vicious comeback in 2006 with ‘Bug’: a feverish, claustrophobic psychodrama adapted by Pulitzer Prize winner Tracy Letts from his own play. Clearly a step in the right direction, Friedkin concluded; he’s stuck with the Oklahoman playwright for his follow-up.

A bristly adaptation of Letts’s first play, this riotously nasty trailer-park noir makes no apologies for its debt to Tennessee Williams, though even Williams might have baulked at some of the warped goings-on in this Southern family. Hounded by money-chasing gangsters, young hoodlum Chris (Emile Hirsch) hits upon a solution: having his mother killed and raking in the insurance payout. A bent cop moonlighting as an assassin, Joe (Matthew McConaughey) is happy to oblige. But when Chris can’t pay the deposit, Joe claims his sister Dottie (Juno Temple) as a sexual ‘retainer’. Fun for all the family ensues, with virginal Dottie taking to Joe with disquieting ease, assorted characters getting beaten to the consistency of mince, and Gina Gershon (excellent as Hirsch’s scuzzy stepmother) doing things with a drumstick that may put you off KFC for life.

Friedkin’s direction is rough and ready, but Letts’s tangy writing is the star here. Or perhaps that distinction should go to Temple: as a guileless baby-doll turned ravenous Lolita, the 23-year-old Brit is the standout among an already sparky ensemble. Guy Lodge

Author: Guy Lodge

Critics' choice
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Release details

Rated:

18

UK release:

Fri Jun 29 2012

Duration:

102 mins

Cast and crew

Cast:

Juno Temple, Gina Gershon, Matthew McConaughey, Emile Hirsch

Director:

William Friedkin

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Comments & ratings

Rated as: 3/5 (9 ratings)

  • I left a comment here a few days ago, but it disappeared... hmm. Anyway, here's what I thought of this film: it was very disturbing and misogynistic, but with a lot of great performances, esp Juno Temple. I couldn't watch the drumstick scene - had my eyes closed for that one.

    where&#039;s my review? Wed Jul 11 2012
    Rated as: 3/5
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  • Squalid, cliched to the point of absurdity, with some ludicrous dialogue. Tennessee Wiilliams meets Quentin Tarantino in a trailer park. Not half as clever as it imagines it is. One chicken drumstick. Rampart knocks it sideways.

    iannis Mon Jul 9 2012
    Rated as: 1/5
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  • Tired Hollywood cliches about guns, violence, misogyny and cowboys just lacking a car chase unless you regard a retread for 'The Killer Inside Me' as fair exchange. This is no Glass Menagerie, but there are some good Dirty Harry/Midnight Cowboy limps reprised as highlights. One chicken was harmed in the making of this film as well as your wallet, but agree with Archgate the final song is a belter and worth staying for.

    Paul Sat Jul 7 2012
    Rated as: 2/5
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  • Delicious B movie with outstanding performances from Matthew M and Juno (a star of the future). Tight script and effortless direction, the action zips along to a sizzling close. As one commentator said - you'll never look on Kentucky Fried Chicken the same way again, EVER!

    Blaize67 Mon Jul 2 2012
    Rated as: 4/5
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  • Awesome film. Great performances. Scenes to make you squirm. One of the best films so far this year.

    Adam Sun Jul 1 2012
    Rated as: 5/5
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  • gets a bit bitter and twisred in the final third.. but watchable but Juno needs better roles than this.. shes a real talent.. off to KFC now"there fellating tasting good"

    john o sullivan Sun Jul 1 2012
    Rated as: 3/5
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  • Amusing with excellent performances, particularly (and surprisingly) from McConaughey and Church. It is excessively violent, but enjoyable none the less. Three and a half stars is about right. Check out Matt Damon's impersonation of MM on you tube.

    Sutton Sun Jul 1 2012
    Rated as: 4/5
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  • Not sure how to categorise this one, which in itself is no bad thing. I took it to be more comedy than "noir". The rough, often abrupt editing reminded me of `No Country` and `Burn After Reading`. Avoid if you squirm at nudity and violence, otherwise give it a try. It`s engaging and rather peculiar. Three and a half stars.

    critique Sat Jun 30 2012
    Rated as: 4/5
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  • yes I know: summary

    ARCHGATE Fri Jun 29 2012
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  • yes I know: summary

    ARCHGATE Fri Jun 29 2012
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