Kill List 2011

Today we have Kill List a psychological horror centered around two hit men who don't realize that after taking their newest contract they are in way over their heads until it's too late.  Ben Wheatley directed, co-wrote, and co-edited with Neil Maskell and Michael Smiley playing the two hit men Jay and Gal.  Jay is married to Shel (MyAnna Burning) while Gal just started dating a new woman Fiona (Emma Fryer).  Jay and Shel have a rather disturbing relationship filled with moments of loving moments quickly followed by vicious verbal outbursts on each other.  Jay also has a checkered past with Gal especially after coming off of their last job in Kiev that didn't go well.  Jay seems to be at the center of a both dysfunctional relationships.

This movie is like a long con.  If you can stand the waiting, the payoff eventually is worth it with this one.  The problem is are you willing to wait for it?  There are a few scenes that are very cringe worthy along the way so we're not totally bored the entire time.  What takes time is we have to learn about our three main characters Jay, Shel, and Gal before we can get to the payoff in the final half hour.  See the difference between this movie and The Fear from yesterday is with The Fear there was no payoff at the end.  Today, there is definitely a payoff and by the time the credits roll you will be asking yourself what the hell did you just watch.  I did, in fact I went to bed afterwards still thinking about this one.  That has to account for something.

Not that this one is without it's faults because it has a couple.  First, we never really find out what happened with the Kiev job and while it might not have helped the forming the end of the movie better I still wanted to know what happened.  Now about the end; while I said it did leave me stunned I also wanted to know more and without any spoilers because the entire movie lies on the shoulders of the ending so I can't say much but I wanted to know more.  Too many questions after it was over and it didn't really set up for a sequel so I can't even fall back on that hope.  Regardless the only other complaint I had were a few of the edits seemed sloppy to me.  Maybe they were supposed to be that way but it seemed needless.  For instance why edit out the few seconds it takes Jay to walk around his sons bed while he tucks him in for the night?  Just leave the few seconds in and make it less choppy.  It's only a 95 minute film and it is literally for a few seconds each time it happens which is at least two or three times.  Other than that some of this is really good and gory at times and other times it makes you really glad you don't live in the type of world/reality these two guys live in.  While some will have trouble with this one for one reason or another if you give it a chance ot does get a recommendation from me.  Denise The Horror Honey felt the same way and we both give this one 3 out of 5 Cryptic Symbols Carved on the Back of a Mirror.  Watch the movie; you'll understand.