David Fincher’s neo-noir action thriller, “The Killer,” made a triumphant premiere at the Venice Film Festival. The film received a standing ovation that lasted seven minutes and garnered enthusiastic applause from the audience. Although the cast, including Michael Fassbender and Tilda Swinton, was unable to attend due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, Fincher soaked in the reception from the balcony of Venice’s Sala Grande cinema.
“The Killer” is written by Andrew Kevin Walker, known for his work on Fincher’s previous films “Seven” (1995) and “Fight Club” (1999). The screenplay is based on a French graphic novel of the same name and follows a cold-blooded assassin, played by Fassbender, who experiences a psychological crisis after a near miss. Set in a world without a moral compass, the assassin questions his actions and sanity.
Netflix describes the film as follows: “Solitary, cold, methodical, and unencumbered by scruples or regrets, a killer waits in the shadows, watching for his next target. Yet, the longer he waits, the more he thinks he’s losing his mind, if not his cool.”
The film’s tagline, “Execution is everything,” resonates with both the story and Fincher’s filmmaking approach. It emphasizes the importance of precise execution and attention to detail in creating a captivating cinematic experience. Fincher’s collaboration with cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt, who won an Oscar for his work on Fincher’s “Mank,” elevates the film’s visual aesthetic. Additionally, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, Oscar winners for their score in Fincher’s “The Social Network,” contribute to “The Killer’s” haunting soundtrack.
Venice Film Festival attendees have responded overwhelmingly positively to the films premiering this year. While Roman Polanski’s “The Palace” faced scathing reviews, most other major releases have received enthusiastic acclaim. Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things” is leading the critical race midway through the festival, but other films like Bradley Cooper’s “Maestro,” Michael Mann’s “Ferrari,” Harmony Korine’s “AGGRO DR1FT,” and Luc Besson’s “Dogman” have also garnered massive standing ovations in the Sala Grande.
The success and reception of “The Killer” suggest that Fincher has once again crafted a visually stunning and psychologically gripping film. Audiences eagerly anticipate its release to experience Fincher’s signature storytelling style, combined with Fassbender’s mesmerizing portrayal of a conflicted assassin. With its potent combination of suspense, action, and introspection, “The Killer” promises to be another masterpiece in Fincher’s impressive filmography.