The Killer (2023 film)

A professional hitman known only as The Killer stakes out a Parisian hotel room. He prepares to use a sniper rifle to kill a target who will check into the hotel room at an unknown time. While waiting for the target, he eats, practices yoga, listens to music (exclusively the Smiths), and talks on the phone with his handler, Edward "Eddie" Hodges, who is an attorney and his former university law professor. The target arrives with a dominatrix and The Killer shoots but misses, accidentally shooting the dominatrix. He flees, evading the police and disposing of his equipment. He then flies to the United States.

The Killer returns to his hideout in the Dominican Republic to find it has been broken into and his girlfriend Magdala has been attacked. She is in the ICU of a hospital, with her brother watching over her. He says that Magdala was interrogated and tortured by two assassins but managed to injure one of them and escape. The Killer tracks down Leo, the taxi driver who drove the assassins to The Killer's home. Leo identifies one of the assassins, a strong man with a limp leg, nicknamed "The Brute", and a woman who resembles a Q-Tip, known as "The Expert". The Killer shoots Leo and seeks to track down the two assassins.

The Killer travels to Hodges' office in New Orleans, Louisiana, and enters the building disguised as a maintenance person. After forcing Dolores, Hodges' secretary, to restrain her boss and herself, The Killer destroys their electronics. As Hodges attempts to get The Killer to leave, The Killer shoots him in the chest with a nail gun to torture the names of the hitmen out of him. However, Hodges doesn't reveal the information and dies more quickly than The Killer anticipated. Dolores offers to show The Killer the assassins' identities in her paper files in her home, asking in return that The Killer give her a non-suspicious death so her children can claim a life insurance payout. After receiving the names at her home, The Killer breaks his rule not to show empathy; he snaps her neck and shoves her down a flight of stairs, making her death look like an accident, as she had requested. He then disposes of Hodges' body.

The Killer drives to St. Petersburg, Florida, where he confronts The Brute, whom he identifies by his limp. At night, he breaks into The Brute's home to kill him, but he is blindsided and tackled. A fight ensues, during which The Brute realizes who The Killer is before The Killer fatally shoots him and sets his house on fire with a Molotov cocktail.

The Killer travels to Beacon, New York, and confronts The Expert "Q-Tip" assassin in a gourmet restaurant. Appearing to accept her fate, The Expert offers to share with him a "last supper" of whiskey, during which she questions The Killer's motivations. They leave the restaurant and go to a park. After The Expert appears to slip down a small flight of ice-covered stairs, she asks The Killer to help her up, but The Killer shoots her, revealing that she was concealing a knife.

The Killer travels to Chicago, to kill billionaire venture capitalist Henderson "Clay" Claybourne, reflecting during his flight that police take more interest in the deaths of rich people. He uses tools bought on Amazon to enter Claybourne's penthouse. Confronting him, The Killer remains mostly silent. Claybourne says that he has no personal problem with The Killer and, as a first-time client of a hitman, agreed to pay Hodges for "the trail to be scrubbed", not knowing what that meant. The Killer spares Claybourne, but he promises him a slow death if Claybourne ever targets him again. The Killer returns to the Dominican Republic and sits next to a recovering Magdala.

{{Cast listing|

• Michael Fassbender as The Killer, a professional assassin
• Tilda Swinton as The Expert, a fellow assassin living in New York
• Charles Parnell as The Lawyer, Hodges, The Killer's handler posing as a lawyer
• Arliss Howard as The Client, Claybourne, a billionaire businessman
• Kerry O'Malley as Dolores, an office administrator working for Hodges
• Sophie Charlotte as Magdala, The Killer's girlfriend
• Emiliano Pernía as Marcus, Magdala's brother
• Gabriel Polanco as Leo, the taxi driver
• Sala Baker as The Brute, an assassin who lives in Florida
• Monique Ganderton as The Dominatrix
• Daran Norris as Deep South Lounge greeter
• Jack Kesy as Salesman

}}

In November 2007, it was reported that David Fincher would be directing an adaptation of the Matz French comic book The Killer, with Allesandro Camon writing the script, Brad Pitt's Plan B Entertainment producing, and Paramount Pictures distributing.{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Michael |date=November 1, 2007 |title=Paramount, Fincher catch Killer |url=https://variety.com/2007/film/news/paramount-fincher-catch-killer-2-1117975225/ |access-date=November 9, 2021 |website=Variety |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215075151/https://variety.com/2007/film/news/paramount-fincher-catch-killer-2-1117975225/ |url-status=live}} By February 2021, Fincher had taken the project to Netflix, where he had signed an overall deal, with Andrew Kevin Walker now writing the script and Michael Fassbender circling the lead role. By June, it was reported that Fincher was planning to begin filming in November 2021 in Paris, with cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt.{{Cite web |last=Sharf |first=Zack |date=June 24, 2021 |title=David Fincher to Film The Killer in Paris This Fall with Mank Oscar-Winning DP Messerschmidt |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2021/06/david-fincher-the-killer-filming-paris-messerschmidt-1234646497/ |access-date=November 21, 2021 |website=IndieWire |archive-date=March 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328015922/https://www.indiewire.com/2021/06/david-fincher-the-killer-filming-paris-messerschmidt-1234646497/ |url-status=live}} Tilda Swinton joined the cast in October.{{Cite web |last=Perez |first=Rodrigo |date=October 8, 2021 |title=Tilda Swinton Is Joining David Fincher's The Killer Starring Michael Fassbender [Exclusive] |url=https://theplaylist.net/tilda-swinton-david-fincher-the-killer-michael-fassbender-20211008/ |access-date=November 9, 2021 |website=The Playlist |archive-date=March 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328021421/https://theplaylist.net/tilda-swinton-david-fincher-the-killer-michael-fassbender-20211008/ |url-status=live}}

David Fincher cited Le Samouraï’s Jean-Pierre Melville as the most obvious reference to his film.{{cite web |last=Bilmes |first=Alex |date=27 October 2023 |title=David Fincher's 'The Killer' Review: Off-Target |url=https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/a45558783/david-finchers-the-killer-review-off-target/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111072457/https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/a45558783/david-finchers-the-killer-review-off-target/ |archive-date=November 11, 2023 |access-date=11 November 2023 |website=Esqiure}}{{cite web |last=Schrager |first=Nick |date=26 October 2023 |title='The Killer' Is David Fincher at His Wicked Best |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/the-killer-review-david-fincher-is-at-his-wicked-best |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111072456/https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/the-killer-review-david-fincher-is-at-his-wicked-best |archive-date=November 11, 2023 |access-date=11 November 2023 |website=The Daily Beast}}{{cite web |last=Pierce |first=Nev |date=10 October 2023 |title=Making A Murderer: On Set Of The Killer With David Fincher |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/making-a-murderer-on-set-of-the-killer-with-david-fincher/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111072502/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/making-a-murderer-on-set-of-the-killer-with-david-fincher/ |archive-date=November 11, 2023 |access-date=11 November 2023 |website=Empire}}{{Cite web |last=Adam |first=Orestes |date=2023-10-31 |title=David Fincher’s ‘The Killer’ Wouldn’t Exist Without This French Crime Movie |url=https://collider.com/david-fincher-the-killer-le-samourai/ |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=Collider |language=en}} Michael Fassbender is inspired by the character played by Alain Delon.{{Cite web |last=Adam |first=Orestes |date=2023-10-31 |title=David Fincher's 'The Killer' Wouldn't Exist Without This French Crime Movie |url=https://collider.com/david-fincher-the-killer-le-samourai/ |access-date=2025-03-07 |website=Collider |language=en}}{{cite web |last=Peterson |first=Blake |date=2023-11-13 |title=‘The Killer’: A Cutthroat, Cool-to-the-Touch Thriller from David Fincher |url=https://www.southsoundmag.com/arts-entertainment/the-killer-all-of-us-strangers-review/article_ca96b260-8250-11ee-b375-cb591f2fbea5.html |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=SouthSoundMag.com |language=en}}{{cite web |date=2023-11-10 |title=How Liam Gallagher Inspired Michael Fassbender’s Style in 'The Killer' |url=https://www.esquire.com/uk/style/fashion/a45751709/the-killer-costume-designer-interview/ |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Esquire |language=en-GB}}

Principal photography began in November 2021 in Paris.{{Cite web |last=Sharf |first=Zack |date=June 24, 2021 |title=David Fincher to Film The Killer in Paris This Fall with Mank Oscar-Winning DP Messerschmidt |url=https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/david-fincher-the-killer-filming-paris-messerschmidt-1234646497/ |access-date=July 2, 2023 |website=IndieWire |archive-date=July 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702154144/https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/david-fincher-the-killer-filming-paris-messerschmidt-1234646497/ |url-status=live}} It continued in the Dominican Republic in December 2021, then moved to New Orleans later that month. It moved again to Chicago in February 2022,{{Cite web|url=https://screenmag.com/david-fincher-michael-fassbender-project-the-killer-films-in-chicago-this-february/|title=David Fincher, Michael Fassbender Movie 'The Killer' Films in Chicago This February|date=December 16, 2021|website=Screen Magazine|access-date=November 6, 2023|archive-date=November 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106094027/https://screenmag.com/david-fincher-michael-fassbender-project-the-killer-films-in-chicago-this-february/|url-status=live}} and then to St. Charles, Illinois (doubling for the city of Beacon, New York), in March 2022 for ten days, wrapping up later that month.{{Cite web |date=January 21, 2022 |title=Award-winning director David Fincher will film The Killer in Chicago area |url=https://reelchicago.com/article/award-winning-director-david-fincher-will-film-the-killer-in-chicago-area/ |access-date=January 29, 2022 |website=Reel Chicago |archive-date=January 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129011028/https://reelchicago.com/article/award-winning-director-david-fincher-will-film-the-killer-in-chicago-area/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Michael |date=May 3, 2023 |title=The Killer: Release Date, Cast, Plot, and Everything We Know About David Fincher's Next Movie |url=https://collider.com/the-killer-david-fincher-movie-release-date-cast-plot/ |access-date=July 2, 2023 |website=Collider |archive-date=July 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702154144/https://collider.com/the-killer-david-fincher-movie-release-date-cast-plot/ |url-status=live}}

{{Main|The Killer (soundtrack)}}

In February 2023, it was reported that Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross were composing for the film.{{cite magazine|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|title=Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross Compose Score for David Fincher's Next Film 'The Killer'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/trent-reznor-atticus-ross-score-david-fincher-the-killer-1234673187/|date=February 3, 2023|access-date=July 17, 2023|magazine=Rolling Stone|archive-date=July 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717164839/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/trent-reznor-atticus-ross-score-david-fincher-the-killer-1234673187/|url-status=live}} The film also includes the following songs from English rock band the Smiths (in order in which they appear in the film):{{Cite web |last=Lattanzio |first=Ryan |date=2023-09-03 |title=Why David Fincher Chose The Smiths for Michael Fassbender's Zen 'Meditation' Soundtrack in 'The Killer' |url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/festivals/david-fincher-the-killer-the-smiths-soundtrack-1234902081/ |access-date=2023-09-03 |website=IndieWire |archive-date=September 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903154406/https://www.indiewire.com/news/festivals/david-fincher-the-killer-the-smiths-soundtrack-1234902081/ |url-status=live}}

{{Track listing

| title1 = Well I Wonder

| length1 = 3:59

| title2 = I Know It's Over

| length2 = 5:49

| title3 = How Soon Is Now?

| length3 = 6:48

| title4 = Hand in Glove

| length4 = 3:23

| title5 = Bigmouth Strikes Again

| length5 = 3:13

| title6 = Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now

| length6 = 3:36

| title7 = Girlfriend in a Coma

| length7 = 2:03

| title8 = Shoplifters of the World Unite

| length8 = 2:58

| title9 = Unhappy Birthday

| length9 = 2:45

| title10 = This Charming Man

| length10 = 2:43

| title11 = There Is a Light That Never Goes Out

| length11 = 4:05

| total_length = 41:22

}}

File:TheKillerBFILFF051023 (21 of 22) (53255527214) (cropped).jpg, cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt, and sound designer Ren Klyce at the 2023 BFI London Film Festival.]]

The Killer premiered in-competition at the 80th Venice International Film Festival on September 3, 2023. It was picked up for a surprise screening at the 71st San Sebastián International Film Festival set for September 30, 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eitb.eus/es/cultura/cine/festival-san-sebastian/detalle/9316719/the-killer-de-david-fincher-film-sorpresa-del-zinemaldia/|website=EiTB|date=September 26, 2023|title='The Killer' de David Fincher, film sorpresa del Zinemaldia|access-date=September 30, 2023|archive-date=October 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001214127/https://www.eitb.eus/es/cultura/cine/festival-san-sebastian/detalle/9316719/the-killer-de-david-fincher-film-sorpresa-del-zinemaldia/|url-status=live}} It was also screened at the 28th Busan International Film Festival in the "Icon" section on October 6, 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://www.biff.kr/eng/html/program/prog_all_list.asp?allYear=2023|title=The 28th Busan International Film Festival: Selection List|website=Busan International Film Festival|date=September 5, 2023|access-date=September 11, 2023|archive-date=September 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915141852/https://www.biff.kr/eng/html/program/prog_all_list.asp?allYear=2023|url-status=live}}

The film began a limited theatrical release on October 27, 2023, via Netflix, before streaming on the platform on November 10, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=2023-08-30 |title=Netflix Sets Fall Movie Release Dates For 'The Killer', 'Pain Hustlers', 'Sly', Wes Anderson's 'The Wonderful Story Of Henry Sugar' & More |url=https://deadline.com/2023/08/netflix-movie-release-dates-fall-2023-1235530889/ |access-date=2023-08-30 |website=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=August 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830150931/https://deadline.com/2023/08/netflix-movie-release-dates-2023-1235530889/ |url-status=live}}

{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|85|7.4|288|consensus=The Killer finds director David Fincher on firm footing with a stylish and engaging thriller that proves a perfect match for leading man Michael Fassbender.|access-date=December 9, 2023|ref=y}} {{Metacritic film prose|73|59|ref=yes|access-date=November 17, 2023}}

Terming it a "horribly addictive samurai procedural," Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian wrote that the film is "entertainingly absurd and yet the pure conviction and deadpan focus that Fassbender and Fincher bring to this ballet of anonymous professionalism makes it very enjoyable."{{cite news |last1=Bradshaw |first1=Peter |title=The Killer review – terrific David Fincher thriller about a philosophising hitman |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/sep/03/the-killer-review-terrific-david-fincher-thriller-about-a-philosophising-hitman |access-date=September 3, 2023 |work=The Guardian |date=September 3, 2023 |archive-date=September 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903174529/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/sep/03/the-killer-review-terrific-david-fincher-thriller-about-a-philosophising-hitman|url-status=live}} IndieWire's Ryan Lattanzio found it "as unfeeling as any Fincher thriller, at once predictable in its simplicity but also strangely daring because of it".{{cite web |last1=Lattanzio |first1=Ryan|title='The Killer' Review: David Fincher Executes a Sleek If Small Michael Fassbender Thriller Armed with Existential Futility |url=https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/the-killer-review-david-fincher-michael-fassbender-1234901969/ |access-date=September 3, 2023|website=IndieWire|date=September 3, 2023 |archive-date=September 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903175417/https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/the-killer-review-david-fincher-michael-fassbender-1234901969/|url-status=live}} Time magazine's Stephanie Zacharek, noting the proliferation of thrillers about contract assassins, praised Fincher for simplifying his entry into the subgenre to its essence, which Zacharek felt expanded its possibilities rather than limiting them, especially with Fassbender's performance effectively realizing them.{{cite web|url=https://time.com/6310455/the-killer-review-david-fincher/|magazine=Time|title=Less Is More in David Fincher's Assassin Thriller The Killer|author=Zacharek, Stephanie|url-status=live|date=September 3, 2023|access-date=February 13, 2024|archive-date=October 6, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231006011307/https://time.com/6310455/the-killer-review-david-fincher/}}

The New York Times was less positive, with Manohla Dargis unmoved by character and plot but nonetheless impressed by the talents of Fincher and Fassbender. "The character is boring and so is this movie, but like the supremely skilled Fincher, who can't help but make images that hold your gaze even as your mind wanders, Fassbender does keep you watching."{{cite news|last=Dargis|first=Manohla |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/09/movies/the-killer-review-fincher.html|title='The Killer' Review: He's a Deadly Bore|work=The New York Times|date=2023-11-09 |accessdate=2023-11-09 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109104657/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/09/movies/the-killer-review-fincher.html|url-status=live}}

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