Review: The Killer's Game
Winning Is All In The Execution.
INTRODUCTION
This is a quick review of the newly released film The Killer’s Game. Keep in mind this is but one of the many movies I watch every year, and that whatever initial grade I come up for this film could change for better or worse with time. To better keep up to date with both my thoughts on other movies and if my feelings on this film changed, follow me on Letterboxd.
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THE PLOT
Via Letterboxd: When a top hitman is diagnosed with a terminal illness, he decides to take matters into his own hands – by taking a hit out on himself. But when the very hitmen he hired also target his pregnant ex-girlfriend, he must fend off an army of assassin colleagues, and win back the love of his life before it’s too late.
QUICK REVIEW
In the world of professional wrestling, we've seen plenty of performers transition to film - Hulk Hogan, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, John Cena, and, of course, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson come to mind. However, for me, the most impressive of the bunch is Dave Bautista. Not only has he proven his acting chops, but he’s also appeared in Best Picture-nominated films and worked with some of the most respected directors in Hollywood today.
In The Killer’s Game, Bautista steps into the spotlight as the leading man in this action-comedy romp, sharing the screen with notable names like Scott Adkins, Terry Crews, and his Guardians of the Galaxy co-star Pom Klementieff. The cast also includes Sofia Boutella and Oscar-winner Ben Kingsley, with WWE star Drew McIntyre making a cameo as a hitman on Bautista’s trail.
This movie is pure, unapologetic fun - a true popcorn flick made for audiences to enjoy with a smile. The gore and kills are exaggerated to cartoonish extremes, with blood-splattering scenes that feel ripped straight out of Looney Tunes. And that’s by no accident. The film embraces its identity as a live-action cartoon, leaning into its outrageous style and a host of colorful characters - with new ones that keep popping up even well into the third act.
Action enthusiasts won’t be disappointed, though it’s not quite on the same level as the John Wick films or this year’s Monkey Man. Still, the movie delivers solid shootouts, chase sequences, and some gnarly and brutal hand-to-hand combat. Yes, there’s humor in the violence, but it’s not unlike the stylistic bloodbaths you’d expect in a Quentin Tarantino film’s climax.
One thing that sets The Killer’s Game apart is its central romance, which takes its time to develop. This emotional foundation adds depth to the protagonist’s stakes, a refreshing change from other action films that rush past the love story. The slower pacing in the first act helps build Bautista and Boutella’s relationship, making the action-packed final half feel more meaningful and earned.
That said, this movie isn’t for everyone. Some viewers might find the over-the-top violence and humor a bit too much, or feel the direction falls short if they're expecting something akin to John Wick or Monkey Man. The film’s cartoonish style and pacing might not appeal to all tastes.
For me, though, The Killer’s Game is an entertaining, crowd-pleasing action-comedy that kept me far more engaged than I anticipated. This is the perfect movie to watch with friends for a fun, wild time. I’m giving it a solid B+, with the possibility of bumping that score up after more reflection. If you’re in the mood for a bloody, fun ride at the theater, The Killer’s Game more than delivers.
INITIAL GRADING
Shoutout to Ben Kingsley as the best friend a hitman can have.
Fromtheyardtothearthouse.substack.com