If you’ve heard of The Killer Inside Me it’s likely due to the extreme content that the film contains, and if you haven’t heard of it, let me get you up to date on what those who have already know. The Killer Inside Me is a film based off the 1952 acclaimed, yet equally controversial, novel of the same name, that pulls no punches (at least the camera angles and editing make it look like that’s the case) when it comes to the violent scenes shared between Casey Affleck and his female co-stars.
Affleck stars as Lou Ford, a deputy sheriff in a small West Texas town, who does things by the book, and goes by the logic that in his town, “you’re either a man and a gentleman, or you ain’t nothing at all.” This is an easy path for Ford to follow until his path crosses with Joyce Lakeland (Jessica Alba), a woman who lives on the outskirts of town and provides a service to anyone who shows up with the right amount of cash in hand. After initially being sent out by his boss to inform Joyce she’s to leave town, Ford strikes up an unhealthy relationship with her that brings to the surface repressed feelings and emotions from his past that were long since buried and are now in complete control of his actions. It’s in these feelings that Ford finds himself behaving the exact opposite of how he acted before meeting up with Joyce, and in an attempt to regain control of his life, he puts together a plan that involves the death of Joyce that will solve all his problems. His reasoning, almost as if he needs to convince himself, is that if everything is put into order once again, the beast within will be satisfied and lay dormant once more.
The Killer Inside Me is an interesting little tale of murder, cover-up, and just how deep one can dig themselves while trying to get out of a hole. There’s no doubt that the abusive scenes within are one of the reasons it stands out above some of the other stories out there; however, even though the violence can’t be justified, it does show just how brutal things can get, and really puts you in the mind of a man who isn’t right in the head.
The main scene in question here is the major confrontation between Ford and Joyce, where Ford sets his plan in motion, and by doing so, murders Joyce. The thing is, he doesn’t just murder her, he beats her to a literal pulp, and the camera stays with it the entire way. It’s almost shocking at first, when he strikes her directly in the nose, and she stares back at him in utter disbelief. My stomach sank, and an immediate feeling of uneasiness overwhelmed me, and I was surprised by just how real the punches, and damage, looked. Punch after punch, Joyce’s face swells up, until she’s barely able to breathe. The entire time, Ford is saying he’s sorry, and that he loves her, and this is how it needs to be. Sadly, showing just how damaged a woman Joyce actually is, she stares blankly ahead, as well as she can with one eye swollen shut, and tells him she loves him too, before he strikes her once more, sending her toppling over to the side.
This scene along will no doubt turn off a great many viewers, as no doubt even reading the above may have been too much for some. It’s an extremely graphic scene, so much so that the studio put a warning to viewers on the film’s casing. It’s hard to explain whether or not this should have been put in the film, as most will likely say there’s no reason for it, and it’s hard to find an actual argument for it, but it’s there, so that’s how it has to be looked at. What can be said is that the scene is extremely well done by Affleck and Alba, as the two really step up their game with these characters, and show and express the unhealthy relationship and bond these two hold over one another throughout quite well. The scene is powerful, and the shooting of it was also well done. The punches look as though they aren’t being pulled for the most part, and the realism is quite scary.
The Killer Inside Me is like a carefully constructed spider’s web that was created over years by the friendly, yet weaker personality of Ford, and quickly becomes tangled once the stronger, more forceful personality within him is freed from its prison. Once Ford takes steps to solve one problem, two more arise, and so on and so on, causing him to always be on his toes, constantly trying to set things right in his own mind by all the wrong means eventually for the sole reason of self-preservation.
Also mixed up in this tangled web is Amy Stanton (Kate Hudson), Ford’s fiancée, and all around town gem. She’s not completely unaware of Ford’s actions, though she’s bounded to him by her own weakness and self-doubt, and finds herself on a downward spiral with him because of it.
While the violent nature, and graphic content of the film will always be the first thing noticed and talked about when it comes to The Killer Inside Me, the acting job done by the film’s main trio of actors must be brought to light as well. As noted on earlier, Affleck and Alba share a perverse chemistry, and their work together is quite powerful. Hudson brings her A-game to the table as well, and she and Affleck also share some scenes that stand out due to their chemistry. Affleck himself must be given credit for taking on such a controversial, yet powerful role, and doing so quite gracefully. The arrogance he brings to the character when it’s needed, as well as the emotionless moments, are very well done, and really make you feel as though you’re watching a man’s decent into madness right before your very eyes.
Unfortunately, the supporting cast isn’t given as much to work with. There’s something that feels as though it was lost in translation from the book to the screen when it comes to the messages the supporting cast was suppose to send throughout. Certain ones are understood enough, such as Joe Rothman (Elias Koteas) and his constant buzzing about knowing what Ford is up to, and not wanting it to fall back on him, as well as the know-it-all detective, Howard Hendricks (Simon Baker) who’s always one step behind Ford just waiting for him to slip up; while at the same time, others fall flat, and don’t get their message across as smoothly as one would have hoped in order to make this film that much more memorable.
Regardless, it must be said that The Killer Inside Me is definitely a film that is worth watching if you can handle the content found within. It’s by no means perfect, but at the same time, it’s a film that deserves multiple viewings, and can be looked at from many different angles, and perceived in various ways. It’s the story of one man’s fall from grace and sanity, into the warped, unbridled mind of a psychopathic killer; and like it or not, it’ll leave you thinking.
The audio is 5.1 Dolby Digital, and sounds perfectly fine. There are no complaints in the department, which is always a good thing. The video is a 16×9 2.35 Widescreen presentation, and it looks good. The colours are bright, and sunny, which goes against the tone of the film purposefully, and look good doing it.
There are times when extras are interesting to look at, but not necessarily something you worry about. To me, The Killer Inside Me was a film where I wanted extras. I wanted a commentary track, and I wanted some “Making Of” features, and I wanted a behind the scenes take to see how it all came together, and see just what the director, writer and actors were thinking throughout this film. It’s just that type of film where you want to get into the heads of everyone involved and see if it takes you that one step further, and yet, there’s nothing.
Well, there isn’t nothing, as there are three “Making of” features, which I think would more suitably be called “Promotional trailers” for the film. The three features are each roughly two minutes in length, and one minute of that time in each feature is the exact same voice over introducing the film, and the role the actor about to speak plays. They feature Casey Affleck, Kate Hudson, and Jessica Alba, yet each barely scratch even the tip of the surface of what the viewer would want to know about their time with the film.
Truly a wasted opportunity, and it’s surprising they couldn’t get the director, writer or any cast member to do a commentary, or decent feature for a film they all praise so highly in these mini-trailers.
The Killer Inside Me is a dark, unapologetic psychological works that delves into the mind of a man spiralling deeper and deeper into madness. It pulls no punches, and warns you from the start (or from the imprinted warning on the case) that this isn’t your run of the mill noir film. It’s well acted, well directed, and definitely gives a different perspective on just how disturbed an individual can become, and how it affects all those around them.
IFC Films presents The Killer Inside Me. Directed by: Michael Winterbottom. Starring: Casey Affleck, Jessica Alba, Kate Hudson. Written by: John Curran. Running time: 109 minutes. Rating: R. Released on Blu-ray and DVD: September 28, 2010.
