Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Brutal but surprisingly thoughtful thriller about abuse.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Cult Killer
What's the Story?
In CULT KILLER, Cassie Holt (Alice Eve) is an alcohol-dependent survivor of abuse who meets private eye Mikeal Tallini (Antonio Banderas) during a scuffle in a pub. He offers her a job as an assistant, starts training her, and helps her stop drinking. But then he's brutally murdered. Cassie teams up with police officer Rory McMahon (Paul Reid) to find the killer, who turns out to be Jamie Douglas (Shelley Hennig). Jamie is out for revenge against an evil group of kidnappers who lock children up and abuse and torture them for enjoyment. Jamie herself was one of them, and she recognizes in Cassie a kindred spirit. Cassie believes that things can be done the right way, but it may be too late to stop Jamie.
Is It Any Good?
This low-budget crime drama is far from a throwaway B movie. It never shies away from dark, brutal, but altogether human material, and it's unexpectedly rich in character and intelligent in execution. Coming from director Jon Keeyes, whose movies are usually throwaways, Cult Killer is unexpected. (It's the feature debut of screenwriter Charles Burnley.) It gives us characters with complete backstories and in-depth motivations, and the actors are blessed with plenty to work with. Alice Eve gives a measured, thoughtful performance as Cassie, perhaps the finest work of her career to date. Her scenes with Banderas—layered in as well-placed flashbacks throughout—feel utterly organic, as if they were merely talking rather than acting.
The plot moves smoothly and confidently, and even though the sadistic villains are almost too evil to be real, the movie makes them feel real. The third act last-minute, race-against-time climax unfortunately smacks of cut corners, but the movie saves itself with a gratifying ending. Above all, while Cult Killer gets quite dark, it manages to view victims of abuse with tenderness and empathy, and it's a surprisingly effective work.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Cult Killer's violence. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
How do the two survivors of abuse (Cassie and Jamie) differ in their life paths? What choices did they make? How much help did they have? What support is available for victims of abuse?
How are drinking and alcohol abuse depicted? Are there realistic consequences? Why does that matter?
In the end, what do you think Cassie decided to do? Do you agree? Why, or why not?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 19, 2024
- On DVD or streaming : February 6, 2024
- Cast : Alice Eve , Antonio Banderas , Shelley Hennig
- Director : Jon Keeyes
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Saban Films
- Genre : Thriller
- Run time : 105 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violent content, language and some sexual references
- Last updated : February 6, 2024
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