Review of Killer Joe (2012) by Donna L — 18 Mar 2015

Once again, McConaughey delivers a fantastic and impressively disturbing performance. Unfortunately, once again, the vehicle for that performance is subpar. It is a well put together and well acted modern western but Friedkin crosses the line with the sexual scenes, which show far too much and imply far too little.

It reminds me of Kubrick's Clockwork Orange, which also hid useful social commentary but failed due to an extreme lack of tact. Killer Joe is the same way with a topic that might actually be more challenging than the gang rape scene of Clockwork.

Even in today's film world, there are lines and Killer Joe manages to cross them with a distinct lack of sensitivity or artistic expression.