Dark Comedy Meets Crime in Artistic Showdown

Read Time:3 Minute, 42 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
The Kill Room
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Genre: Thriller
Year Released: 2023
Runtime: 1h 38m
Director(s): Nicol Paone
Writer(s): Jonathan Jacobson
Cast: Uma Thurman, Joe Manganiello, Samuel L. Jackson, Debi Mazar, Maya Hawke, Dree Hemingway, Amy Keum, Candy Buckley, Larry Pine, Jennifer Kim, Matthew Maher, Tom Pecinka, and Alexander Sokovikov
Where To Watch: opening in Theaters Nationwide September 29, 2023

RAVING REVIEW: THE KILL ROOM takes on a bold venture as it dives into the clandestine realms where the illustrious world of art collides with the gritty substrates of criminal undertakings. With the sprawling and often murky world of New York City's art circuit as its backdrop, this narrative endeavors to thread humor amidst the thrilling contours of a criminal storyline. As viewers, we are ushered into a maze where art and crime are not just bedfellows but accomplices in an intriguing narrative dance.

We meet Patrice Capullo, Uma Thurman portraying a gallery owner entangled in a financial hiccup, and Gordon Davis (Samuel L. Jackson), a member of the town's seedy underbelly who turns attempts to tackle a new art form as he scours for a haven to launder his “earnings.” Enter Reggie Pitt (Joe Manganiello), a feared hitman with a tender side for the art world who is in the mix for a sinister money laundering narrative disguised within the modern art veneer. Through the lens of satire, the film unmasks the dim corners of the art market, where magnificent creations turn into grim transactions, painting a scene where the clandestine and flamboyant spheres of crime and art galleries entangle—pointing out the irony of how meaningless the “artist” is in this world.

Jonathan Jacobson, the scriptwriter, aimed for a narrative embellished with dark humor against a backdrop of criminal misadventures brushed with artistic hues. Yet, as the plot expands, the initial intrigue gradually diffuses into a predictable procession of events and uninspiring dialogues. Even with a few twists, the script ultimately is the film's downfall.

With a stellar cast, the script constrains the actors within a world that makes it feel like they phoned in their roles. Thurman, Jackson, and Manganiello share an on-screen camaraderie that sparkles occasionally yet is stifled by the harsh endings, preventing the film from standing out and being bolder. Their attempts to intersperse humor and suspense within the narrative often find themselves feeling out of touch within the confines of this world. Despite its aspirations, THE KILL ROOM often finds its humor falling short of sharp, witty repartees.

Under Nicol Paone’s direction, the film aspires to sketch a dark yet whimsical narrative landscape of the art world. Expected witticisms, especially between Patrice and Gordon, barely scratch the surface of the rich comedic and dramatic potential the narrative presents. Nonetheless, the film has a fabulous, controlled pacing, ensuring a smooth sail through its runtime. I don’t think I looked away once as the movie jumped around with precision, keeping me ready for the next scene.

THE KILL ROOM offers some humorous moments intertwined with thrills, fitting for a weekend escapade into the movies. There was a lot of potential here, and it felt like the puzzle pieces ultimately didn’t fit right. I would guess there may have been too many cooks in the kitchen regarding the ultimate say in the film's production.

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[photo courtesy of SHOUT! STUDIOS]

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