Review of Kill List (2011) by Daniel P — 20 Sep 2011

Kill List is a deeply upsetting but engrossing and well made film - for it's first hour anyway. Tension is mounted to perfection as our two assassins' decide to take on a new job after a prolonged sabbatical; three hits - a priest, a librarian, an MP.

It should be straightforward, but of course it isn't. Jay (Neil Maskell - who is excellent) is clearly still messed up from some unspecified hit gone wrong in Kiev, and when the librarian's 'stash' is discovered, the pair realise they may be up to something sinister, and decide to go 'off list'.

Up to this point the film never puts a foot wrong - the acting is superb, the dialogue feels natural (it was semi-improvised), the violence is both realistic and repellent and the story is gripping. The relationships are spot on.

Strange touches add to the feeling that Kill List is something very different from your usual thriller. It's with the introduction of the 'horror' element when things start to go iffy. I'm a massive genre fan, and have absolutely no problem with a film making an about turn.

But here, despite earlier 'clues' (what was that strange insignia scratched on the back of the mirror? what's with the dead cat? why all the "thank-you"s?) the change is like a completely different, and I have to say, utterly unoriginal film has been pasted over the final reels.

I'm surprised just how many critics don't have a problem with it, citing the like of The Wicker Man as a clear influence and praising a purity of vision. From my point of view, I was more reminded of the terrible ending of The Last Exorcism, and in the final reveal, A Serbian Film (which is not something to be proud of).

I kept hoping for a different resolution that would make more sense, or ate least leave me satisfied. It didn't happen, and in the end I was left feeling cheated. It's a shame, as the cast and crew clearly have loads of talent, much of which is evident in the more successful first two thirds.

Hopefully the director's next project will be better.