Review of Killer Joe (2012) by Kristy N — 30 Dec 2012

(**1/2) A film adaptation of a 20 year-old stage play, Killer Joe can boast if nothing else of being one of the most disturbing things I've ever sat through. Know before watching this film that it is dark as the night, brutal, twisted, and that you will see every form of genitalia that exists on a person. So with that warning out of the way, let's talk.

The plot basically revolves around a small group of characters: Chris, his sister Dottie, his father Ansel, his step-mother Sharla, and a suave crooked cop turned hitman named Joe. Chris, a small time drug dealer with very intense emotions, finds himself in trouble, and devises a scheme to off his mother and claim the life insurance, to which Dottie is sole beneficiary. Dottie is a bit off in the head, to say the least, and acts much younger than she is (director interviews reveal her to be 21 years old) which makes Joe's interest in her all the more unsettling. A story she tells Joe about almost dying may lend some explanation to her mental problems. However, she is the only person in the family who seems to state matter-of-fact truths about what is going on.

Ansel is a characteristic simpleton who serves as a dumb follower in most situations, even to his own son. He'll take the side of the most persuasive or powerful person at any one moment, which becomes very interesting in the final minutes of the film. Sharla, on the other hand, is someone who revels in doing things she shouldn't, and bashing anyone who tries to control her. Thus, she and Ansel make a perfect pair. She manipulates and he submits.

Joe is expectedly the most interesting character. He comes off very professional at first, but we soon realize there is a wild, psychotic man underneath all that smooth talk. This is due in great part to the script, and in almost as great a part to the actor. He is as iconic of a figure as you'll see in modern cinema, and makes you envy his coolness in spite of yourself. However there's no way a sane person could ever root for this man, and the next paragraph will probably give incite into why.

Essentially, Joe sets up a retainer system where he will be able to use Dottie sexually until his fee for the murder is paid. This triggers the first very disturbing scene of the film. (The second coming later and involving some K-fried-C). The system seems like it will work until Chris becomes uncertain about the arrangement, and a couple key monkeywrenches get thrown into the plan.

As far as acting goes, I could praise everyone. However, those most deserving are unquestionably McConaughey and Temple. They play parts which are not only unusual, but would be highly uncomfortable for someone to portray. McConaughey knocks the character right out of the park while Temple makes us wonder if she's even acting. They're that good. Honorable mention to Gershon as well.

So why did I not rate the film higher after all that praise? I simply didn't get the point. Yes it's a black comedy and yes I laughed in places. I just don't know why it exists though. Was it to metaphorize the smooth covers people use to hide their inner monster? Was it a commentary on the consequences of wicked actions, a la Fargo? (Side note, this movie is like a love child of Fargo and Winter's Bone). I just don't know why I was submitted to that level of discomfort without a purpose behind it. If it was just black comedy then it wasn't funny enough to justify the horrible actions the audience is forced to witness. I normally don't knock a film for going to far, but if there's no purpose, then yes, they went too far. Plus I will never unsee McConaughey's dangling scrotum. Jesus.