Review: Killers

The Mo brothers' Killers exist in a world familiar to that of I Saw The Devil or 8mm. This is a world in which every man is either a murderer, pervert, sadist or worse. Inside of that world, two men begin an odd relationship. One is a seasoned serial killer who posts his kills on the web to go viral. The other is a broken reporter who has almost lost his family when gets the taste for murder.

Indonesian writers/directors Kimo Stamboel and Timo Tjahjanto (Mo Brothers) got some attention with their debut Macabre but Killers shows a new depth and maturity to their work. The film delves deep into themes of twisted masculinity and desires. The two central characters are extreme filmmakers, both taping their murders to show the other. We as the audience begin to become the fanbase for such depravity and while the film never preaches, it does suggest that our voyeurism has taken a dark turn.

Kitamura Kazuki gives a memorable performance as the seasoned predator. He is smart, charming and wholly convincing as an insane killer driven by a code. Oka Antara is equally good as the investigative journalist who secretly watches Nomura's videos with a mixture of fascination and disgust. How these two men meet and what becomes of their relationship is central to the film's enjoyment so I wouldn't dare spoil anything here.

Killers is an expertly crafted, deeply thought out horror film. The Mo's want more than to excite and thrill. They are suggesting that our society is headed in a dark direction if we continue to hide behind camera and masks. The Blu-ray from Well Go USA Entertainment is a knockout with a gorgeous picture and killer sound.

4/5