Simon Killer

An Atmospheric Mood Piece That Maintains An Unsettling Vibe, But It Shouldn't Be Oversold As A Thriller
Despite an advertising campaign that might suggest that this is a pulse pounding thriller, writer/director Antonio Campos has fashioned a slow burn character study in "Simon Killer." What's particularly unusual about this presentation, however, is that we don't know very much about the central figure even though we spend every moment of the film with him. As bits and pieces of his personality and story emerge, we're never really sure of the whole truth. Is he a likable misfit? A needy loner looking for love? A obsessive type that won't let go? Or is he something inherently more disturbing? As portrayed by Brady Corbet, in easily his most compelling performance to date, Simon is an enigma. He has many layers, but you're never sure you want to peel off his mild mannered exterior. His choices are questionable as are his motivations, but what exactly drives him? "Simon Killer," in an intriguing choice, leaves you to make up your own mind about a lot of these questions. Through...
Fantastic but definitely not for everyone
Told almost as a modern-day version of the novel In a Lonely Place, Simon Killer places us with a young American man fresh upon arrival in Paris (or so he says). He is struggling with getting over his ex, and falls in love with a French prostitute, also with (literal) scars. As seen in the trailer (so no spoilers), the two devise a scheme to blackmail her clients for cash. This doesn't quite work out.

The narrative, though, is secondary to the extraordinary and wholly disturbing vision that is presented to us. The sex scenes, while erotic, are almost joyless, with Simon's lovers' heads often out of the shot, giving us a view of Simon leering at their nude bodies, or forcing them to turn around and face the opposite way, further dehumanizing his sexual partners.

The unique experience of this film is further developed through the contrast of highly cinematic, "fake"-feeling camera work with exceptionally neorealistic dialogue and acting. The very long shots feel as...
A socopath too chicken to be Tom Ripley
Story of a young man who is a totally amoral bastard. But he's a mamas boy which doesn't fit the type. FrenchSenegalese director Mati Diop in a major acting role is a real find. She added a couple of stars to my rating,
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