Common Sense Media Review
By Alistair Lawrence
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gritty family drama has trauma, language, threat, violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Killing of Two Lovers
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
THE KILLING OF TWO LOVERS follows David (Clayne Crawford) as he struggles to cope with his trial separation from his wife, Niki (Sepideh Moafi) and four children.
Is It Any Good?
A family drama with a heart as well as hard edges, this gripping film delves into the torment of a husband who longs to be reunited with his skeptical wife and their four children. Shot in writer-director Robert Machoian's trademark 4:3 framing, with plenty of stylish but unfussy long, unbroken takes, The Killing of Two Lovers makes for a bumpy ride as Crawford's troubled David tries to plot a course back to reconciliation. As with Machoian and Crawford's more recent collaboration, The Integrity of Joseph Chambers, this is a story told to disarm viewers by reminding us how everyday frustrations and mistakes can become all-consuming. Part of what makes Crawford's performance powerful is that David is often powerless. The relationships he cares about saving frequently drift out of his control in agonizing stages. But with a finale that offers a clever spin on the movie's title, Machoian and his talented cast find a way to weave a tight, memorable story from what in lesser hands could've easily become a tangled mess.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the portrayal of marriage in The Killing of Two Lovers. Was it different from what you see in other relationship dramas? Did you sympathize with any character in particular?
Discuss David's mental health. How did his separation from his wife and children affect him? What might have helped him in his situation?
Talk about the film's violence. Did you find it scary or unexpected? Did it seem more realistic than other movie violence you've seen? Do some types of media violence have a different impact than others?
Discuss the language used in the movie. Did it seem necessary, or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 14, 2021
- On DVD or streaming : May 14, 2021
- Cast : Clayne Crawford , Sepideh Moafi , Chris Coy
- Director : Robert Machoian
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Neon
- Genre : Drama
- Character Strengths : Perseverance
- Run time : 85 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language
- Last updated : August 8, 2023
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