Review of Killer Joe (2012) by Christina P — 30 Jan 2013

This is possibly McConaughey's most impressive performance ever. Once he ditched all the ab-baring rom-coms that possibly did brain-damage to those who watched (and acted in) them, he's been on a role, and this is no exception.

Here he plays the titular character, a Dallas detective who moonlights as a hired killer. He's hired by the Smiths, son Chris (Emile Hirsch) and father Ansel (a great Thomas Haden Church) to off the mother/ex-wife who stole drugs from Chris and leaves him in debt to some bad dudes who intend him more than bodily harm.

The mother has an insurance policy out on her, so Chris plans to pay off the 'bad guys' and Joe and enjoy the leftover $$. Problem is, Joe needs payment upfront, so he takes Chris' virginal sister Dottie as a 'retainer'.

Let's just say, the Smiths are dumb-as-fuck, and things don't go quite as planned, and Joe isn't exactly the type you want to mess around with. Great performance by McConaughey, riveting in each scene he's in, oozing slick evil and sex with every step.

Not a surprise this ended up NC-17, as there's more bush in this movie than the White House ever saw.