EntertainmentMoviesAction MoviesThis R-rated action thriller is on the John Wick director’s radar, and it should be on yours tooWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
EntertainmentMoviesAction MoviesThis R-rated action thriller is on the John Wick director’s radar, and it should be on yours tooWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Lionsgate)
When you’re making a brutal revenge thriller, comparisons toJohn Wickare almost inevitable. Add in an elite killer with the ability to inflict violence with just about any object as your lead, and the parallels are pretty much a given. But the new Indian Hindi-language action hit Kill is a lot more than John Wick on a train, breathing fresh air into an increasingly stale genre.
Big Screen SpotlightShining a light on the under-the-radar theatrical releases that you need to know about, with a new article every Friday
Big Screen Spotlight
Shining a light on the under-the-radar theatrical releases that you need to know about, with a new article every Friday
Shining a light on the under-the-radar theatrical releases that you need to know about, with a new article every Friday
The set-up is propulsive, and Bhat perfectly pitches soundtrack drops, witty one-liners, and absolutely diabolical violence into a very R-rated package. So far, so Wick, and comparisons to similar railway-bound thrillers like Bullet Train and Snowpiercer are all earned in this electrifying actioner. However, while Kill’s stunts are undoubtedly on par with its forebears, they’re actually hiding something way more surprising than that comparison would suggest.
Mindless killing
(Image credit: Lionsgate)
Kill doesn’t shy away from its kills, but not in a cartoonish manner where the bodies of the goons pile up and are quickly brushed aside to keep the pace. No, it takes its time to explore its deaths, from the visceral circumstances they happen in right through to the consequences that they cause.
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The line between justice and revenge is clouded in battle, after all, as in one poignant moment Fani says to Amrit, “I killed four of your people. You finished off 40 of my family.” Horror echoes in his eyes, as he continues, “You’re not a protector, you’re a monster.” It’s enough to give you pause: just who should we support here?
Now, shades of morality in action heroes are not anything new, but there is something very compelling about how Kill approaches it. Indeed, as an ultra-violent film about the futility of violence, the thriller exists in an interesting space, questioning its horrific scenes while also foregrounding them. It’s a tricky dynamic to unpick, but the fact that it’s even recognizing this dichotomy is sure to invite audience discussion. Repercussions are not karate-chopped away here.
International buzz
(Image credit: Lionsgate)
It’s no wonder then, that Kill has already caused a lot of buzz. An early screening at last year’s TIFF set the ball rolling, and the movie recently had its European premiere at the London Indian Film Festival, screening in the desirable closing night slot. Lionsgate is helming the rollout internationally as well, making the thriller the studio’s first South Asian feature film.
Even the director of John Wick has taken note, snatching the movie up for an English-language reboot under his production company. “Kill is one of the most vivid, wild, and creative action movies I’ve seen recently,” Chad Stahelski said about the acquisition, admitting they had “big shoes to fill”.
Famous fans aside, it’s clear to see why everyone is so enamored. While Kill relishes its violence, making the most of its single location with moments for audiences to whoop and holler, there’s also space to navigate genuine shock and heartbreak. So I hope what viewers – and, indeed, a potential remake – will take away is more than the film’s killer premise.
Kill is in theaters from today, after premiering at theLondon Indian Film Festival. For more on what to watch, check out the rest of ourBig Screen Spotlight series.
We’ve also got a breakdown of thebest thrillersandbest action moviesto watch right now.
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2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
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5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”