Killer Joe

Friedkins Ass im Ärmel ist nicht der Plot, sondern die kuriosen Gestalten und das, was alles aus ihnen werden kann. Das heißt, wozu sie fähig sind, und wenn etwas schief läuft, wie sie damit mit ihrer Redneck-Kurzsichtigkeit umgehen. Eine famose Szene vom rauchenden Blowjob. Auf solche Kreationen von McConaughey habe ich in den Zeiten von Die Jury und Amistad nicht gehofft. Dieser Schauspieler steigt zu den Sternen empor! Und überhaupt, alle Beteiligten sind hier exzellent. Ein scharfer Film, der Eier und keinen gesunden Verstand hat. (24.11.2012)

William Friedkin is again at the top of his game. Killer Joe is a thriller with a not very original plot, but it compensates that with several pleasantly unexpected twists, an uncompromisingly dirty atmosphere and fantastic performances by most of the people involved. Most of the attention is drawn by the wonderfully sleazy Matthew McConaughey, his Joe will no doubt be one of the best film villains of the year. The other actors are also very good, only Emile Hirsch was a little unconvincing. One of the most pleasant surprises in recent years, thumbs up. Very intense climax. 9/10 (19.10.2012)

So one day, you’re going through Matthew McConaughey’s movies and watch all of these American hillbillies hanging out with him. His role in this movie – killer Joe – is basically the only normally thinking person in this entire movie. Even though he also has his “moments”. For example, the ending is a downright delicacy for movie connoisseurs. But the people he surrounds himself with are the sorts of characters who look like they’ve had five pints of beer and escaped from a loony bin. Their behavior, actions, reactions to certain situations… nothing here makes any sense. To be honest, I didn’t get it. And I was fascinated by Juno Temple who is apparently twelve in this movie. What?! Well, in any case, I have to say that the movie had balls and that’s why I’m rating it three stars. (13.04.2014)

Killer Joe is known to me from the theater stage. My wife was somewhat disgusted by the performance, which obviously tried to appeal to a younger audience and was far from the classic form of bourgeois theater. Partying, intercourse, violence... basically not something for delicate souls. However, I appreciated the black sarcastic humor and I would rate the theatrical play highly. Tracy Letts delved into the life of American white poverty, which we know best in the stylized performance of the sitcom My Name is Earl. But here, it is significantly more raw and devoid of softening humor. No textbook characters, not much intelligence, and considerably down-to-earth motivations. On the stage, the play functioned as a completely cynical comedy, whereas William Friedkin shifted it more toward the position of a classic crime thriller, and I slightly dislike this shift. Matthew McConaughey functions more as a violent maniac and sexual deviant rather than a pragmatic provider of special services who increasingly demands payment for the work done. As for the casting and acting, I have no objections, but I would appreciate it much more if the film stuck to my original vision of Killer Joe as a dark comedy about very flawed people. Overall impression: 65%. (08.11.2015)

A rough Texas ride where no one has anything to lose. Once Matthew McConaughey starts delivering his lines in full force, this strange family drama kicks into high gear, and it's a shame that the blood, dirt, and slightly bizarre atmosphere become too much towards the very end. With clearer direction, Killer Joe, thanks to its perfect cast, could have aimed for a higher level. (03.04.2013)