Review of The Killer Inside Me (2010) by Sailoraide — 12 Jan 2011

As Smashing Pumpkins sings... "The killer in you is the killer in me.".

This adaptation of Jim Thompson's 1952 novel is a brutal tale of a small-town Texas sheriff's deputy who secretly doubles as a serial killer with a penchant for beating women. Lou Ford, played by Casey Affleck, is a sociopath and we slowly watch as his sexual and violent nature takes control. Affleck delivers a masterful, mesmerizing performance here. He is sufficiently chilling and devious, nailing the role perfectly, and yet finds a way to somehow evoke a small amount of pity for his character. His performance is not the only one of note, though. Jessica Alba and Kate Hudson, in particular, offer stellar performances in their supporting roles. Alba's Southern accent surprised me in its authenticity and Hudson's naive fiance is perfectly executed. The entire cast is at the top of its game.

I would be remiss not to specifically mention just how violent The Killer Inside Me is. This is not the kind of gratuitous violence and sex you see scene after scene in an action film. This is dark, gritty, raw and disturbing. Violence against women, especially when sexuality is thrown in, can be a very touchy subject for some. However, the film never exploits this for shock and awe. Lou Ford just simply is who he is, as explained through flashbacks into his childhood. All of that being said, some scenes are quite graphic and could be difficult for viewers to stomach. Personally, I enjoyed the reality of the director's vision. It was a stylish and beautifully shot film, and these few scenes of an extremely violent nature were necessary.

The Killer Inside Me shows us just how normal someone with violent tendencies can be. Do we really know that co-worker or friend as well as we think we do? Perhaps most of us are actually capable of such terrible acts. We are human after all. And if nothing else this film should serve as a chilling reminder of that.