The Killer

David Fincher crafts a thrilling tale win The Killer that grabs you and doesn't let go...until about twenty minutes remaining in the movie. Going into the third act I was thinking this could be in contention for at least my second favorite movie of the year. #1 of course was Oppenheimer, but that was one of the best movies I've seen in the last ten years, so a second place this year would be a defacto 1b. Unfortunately, like most Fincher films I've found, The Killer meanders a bit towards the end, and doesn't quite stick the landing. The film leans heavily on symbolism, quirks, tendencies, and meticulous behavior from its main character. While the film does an amazing job at conveying the ritualistic life of The Killer, the nameless protagonist played by Michael Fassbender, who yet again delivers a brilliant performance, it staggers a bit defining his motive and morals. There is supposed to be a groeing ambiguity of what is right and what is wrong, and one of the central themes of the movie is how The Killer struggles with the ends, and whether they justify the means, but i found myself questioning the direction he was taking towards the end of the movie. All in all, this was one of my favorite Fincher films. Not his best, but definitely worth a watch. This is also one I feel that I'll enjoy even more on my second and third watches. 8.2/10