Review of The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017) by Manicure — 22 Nov 2020

"The Killing of a Sacred Deer" is regarded as either a masterpiece or a disaster, but I thought it was just alright. I have nothing against symbolic, artistic films, I am not looking for a payoff at all costs, but it felt a bit too insipid at times. I know it's emotionally empty and awkward on purpose, but the atmosphere was more plainly unpleasant that it is unsettling. Still, it's quite a unique cinematic experience and an interesting experiment.

Technically, Lanthimos' visual direction is meticulously on point, often Kubrickian with those tracking shots along hallways and a cold, detached view above the characters as they share emotionless conversations in a monotonous, robotic acting. Lanthimos works like a cynical, sadistic God who looks down on his characters, tortures them, makes them say and do the most embarrassing things. The audience is also invited to make fun of Steven's family as their survival instinct peels off the thick layer of middle-class decency to show their egoism and ruthless individualism.

Surely no one was expecting a happy ending, but the final sacrifice felt underwhelming as the matter was eventually left to chance. Steven was actually able to do whatever he wanted in that situation, and, as he was the only one able to see, there would have been no consequences with his family members. If I were Martin, I wouldn't have counted that as a sacrifice.