I had heard about KILLER JOE but didn’t give it much thought until receiving a press screening invite the other day at the Alamo Drafthouse…
What would I be in for? WOW! Where do I BEGIN?
KILLER JOE is basically a poor-white, Texas trash splatterfest featuring one of the most hard to describe sex/torture scenes that’s ever come across on the big screen. Suffice it to say I’ll never look at a chicken drumstick the same way again.
But these are not little league filmmakers we’re dealing with both in front and behind the camera.
We’re talking about Matthew McConaughey, Gina Gershon, Emile Hirsch, Thomas Haden Church and nubile (hot as hell) Juno Temple.
And this dark and trashy comedy-thriller’s director is none other than William Friedkin of THE EXORCIST and FRENCH CONNECTION fame!
It all plays like an unholy marriage between David Lynch and the Coen Brothers.
The storyline has Emile Hirsch showing up at dad’s (Thomas Haden Church) mobile home where he’s living with slutty stepmom Gina Gershon and his not yet deflowered sister Juno Temple.
Hirsch is in financial straights and desperate need of cash to keep from drug goons killing him—which they nearly do.
His plan; hire this professional killer he’s heard about to do in mom and split her $50,000 insurance policy with his in-laws with the rest going to the hired gun. Who by the way is Matthew McConaughey, a Dallas police detective who freelances hit jobs. Trouble is McConaughey wants a retainer up front before bumping off mom.
What will he take?
How about unplucked flower Juno Temple? Yeah—THAT’s the ticket.
And so it goes in this sex, drugs, nudity and extreme violence laden tale of human garbage that had us groaning at times (as in: Oh NO!) and warrants a shower after viewing.
There’s one other little matter to take note of, the film is deservedly rated NC-17.
KILLER JOE, all 102 vile and messy minutes of it, is showing exclusively at Alamo’s MAINSTREET and the Glenwood Arts—tearing 3 out of 5 sticky fingers for those so inclined. And you know who you are…….
Consider yourselves forewarned.
Looking forward to this. Alot of elements working in it’s favor, at least as far as I’m concerned.
Sexy as hell and always a big crush of mine, Gina Gershon.
Bill Friedkin directing. Certainly past his 70s prime but for the most part, still a quality director. Some of his later work like To Live & Die In LA and Rampage were solid efforts.
Have always like McConaughey as well, despite all the fluff stuff he’s usually been attached to. He proved he could pull off a flick like this a long time ago w/ his turn in John Sayles, Lone Star.
And yes, intrigued by that Juno chick since the hint of lesbian relationship w/ Hathaway’s Catwoman in the recent Batman flick.
And violence.
What’s not to like?
Thanks for the review, Jack, I’ll be checking it out this weekend.
My man Jack. This one got to you didn’t it. Sex, violence and unplugged virgin. Can I have fries with that?