Killer Joe (2011)

Director:

William Friedkin

Writers:

Tracy Letts (screenplay)
Tracy Letts (play)

Release Date:

29 June 2012 (Ireland)

Genre:

Crime | Thriller

Tagline:

Murder never tasted so good.

Plot:

When a debt puts a young man's life in danger, he turns to putting a hit out on his evil mother in order to collect the insurance.

Plot Keywords:

Debt | Police | Police Detective | Murder | Loss Of Mother

Awards:

5 wins & 14 nominations

Cast

Matthew McConaughey	...	Killer Joe Cooper
Emile Hirsch	...	Chris Smith
Juno Temple	...	Dottie Smith
Thomas Haden Church	...	Ansel Smith
Gina Gershon	...	Sharla Smith
Marc Macaulay	...	Digger Soames
Gralen Bryant Banks	...	Pizza Patron (as Graylen Banks)
Carol Sutton	...	Saleslady
Danny Epper	...	G-Man
Jeff Galpin	...	Biker Thug
Scott A. Martin	...	Pizza Manager (as Scott Martin)
Gregory C. Bachaud	...	Filpatrick
Charley Vance	...	Preacher
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Julia Adams	...	Adele (uncredited)
Geraldine Glenn	...	Pizza Patron (uncredited)
Sean O'Hara	...	Rex (uncredited)
Blain Sanchez	...	Prisoner (uncredited)
Tony Severio	...	Pizza Patron (uncredited)
Lynette Zumo	...	Waitress (uncredited)

Directed by
William Friedkin

Writing credits
Tracy Letts		(screenplay)
Tracy Letts		(play "Killer Joe")

Produced by
Nicolas Chartier	....	producer
Vicki Cherkas	....	executive producer
Molly Conners	....	executive producer
Scott Einbinder	....	producer
Zev Foreman	....	executive producer
Laurence Freed	....	co-executive producer
Patrick Newall	....	co-producer
Jamin O'Brien	....	co-executive producer
Eli Selden	....	associate producer
Roman Viaris-de-Lesegno	....	executive producer (as Roman Viaris)
Ryan Westheimer	....	line producer
Doreen Wilcox Little	....	associate producer
Christopher Woodrow	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Tyler Bates

Cinematography by
Caleb Deschanel		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Darrin Navarro

Casting by
Denise Chamian

Production Design by
Franco-Giacomo Carbone

Set Decoration by
Alice Baker

Costume Design by
Peggy A. Schnitzer		(as Peggy Schnitzer)

Makeup Department
Marcos Gonzales	....	key hair stylist
Krystal Kershaw	....	key makeup artist
Adrienne Lynn	....	assistant makeup artist (as Adrienne Booth)
Kent Richard	....	assistant hair stylist
Donna Spahn	....	assistant hair stylist (as Donna Spahn Jones)

Production Management
Jenn Lee	....	production supervisor
Patrick Newall	....	unit production manager
Toby Thiermann	....	assistant post-production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
George Bott	....	second assistant director (as George R. Bott)
Nathan Parker	....	second second assistant director
Michael Salven	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Spencer J. Abadie	....	construction buyer (as Spencer Abadie)
Michael Arena	....	key greens
Patcharee Blanchard	....	set dresser/swing
Paul Blanchard	....	leadman
Charles Bodenheimer	....	painter
Rick Broderman	....	lead scenic artist
Chazz Campbell Daquin	....	greens
James Comiskey Jr.	....	construction gang boss (as James Comiskey)
Robin Durand	....	propmaker
Chris Edwards	....	set dresser/swing
Jeff Garbacz	....	propmaker
Jeffrey Pratt Gordon	....	assistant property master
Wendy Guerrera	....	painter
Richard Guillot	....	propmaker
Chris Harbor	....	construction utility
Kim Harris	....	construction foreman
Mark T. Henderson	....	propmaker (as Mark Henderson)
James J. Hershey	....	propmaker (as James Hershey)
April LaBranche	....	art department coordinator
Nicole LaBranche	....	art department coordinator
Andrew H. Lewis	....	construction utility
Lindanne Lewis	....	painter
Vanessa Merrill	....	graphic designer
Cory Parker	....	on set dresser
Jason Portera	....	set dresser/swing
Sian C. Sanzone	....	painter (as Stan Sanzone)
Ember Soberman	....	painter
Courtney Talbot	....	set designer
David Lee Toth	....	set dresser/swing
Marcus Turchi	....	construction coordinator
David Tureau	....	greens
Richard Wolf	....	propmaker
Brook Yeaton	....	property master
Alixandra Petrovich	....	additional on-set dresser (uncredited)

Sound Department
Ruth Adelman	....	supervising adr editor
Ron Bedrosian	....	adr mixer
Gregory Black	....	utility sound technician
Steve Boeddeker	....	sound designer
Trey Burvant	....	sound stage provider: Second Line Stages
Julio Carmona	....	adr recordist
Ross Davis	....	additional sound mixer
Alexandra Fehrman	....	sound editor
Jeffrey Haupt	....	sound mixer
Ruby C. Haupt	....	boom operator
James B. Howe	....	foley mixer (as James Howe)
Chad J. Hughes	....	sound effects editor (as Chad Hughes)
Aaron Levy	....	sound re-recording mixer (as Aaron 'Luc' Levy)
Aaron Levy	....	supervising sound editor (as Aaron 'Luc' Levy)
Mace Matiosian	....	supervising sound editor
John Matter	....	assistant sound editor
James Moriana	....	foley artist
Kevin Murphy	....	sound stage provider: Second Line Stages
David Padilla	....	assistant sound editor
Gerald Palone	....	sound stage provider: Second Line Stages
Joseph T. Sabella	....	foley artist (as Joseph Sabella)
Jivan Tahmizian	....	dialogue editor
Greg Zimmerman	....	adr mixer
Greg Zimmerman	....	adr recordist
Kevin McCullough	....	assistant sound editor (uncredited)
Steve Papagiannis	....	sound effects editor (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Lloyd Burke	....	special effects foreman
Guy Clayton Jr.	....	special effects coordinator (as Guy Clayton)
Samantha Clayton	....	special effects clerk
Edward Joubert	....	special effects technician
Kip Taylor	....	special effects technician
Gene P. Whitney	....	special effects technician (as Gene Whitney)
Mandy Dormann	....	special effects technician (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Jean Paul Demars	....	visual effects artist: Laser Pacific
Igor Lipski	....	visual effects artist: Laser Pacific
Ryan Noto	....	visual effects supervisor: Laser Pacific

Stunts
Bob Arnold	....	stunts
Troy Bellinghausen	....	stunts
Shane Dufrene	....	stunts (as Shane Dufrane)
Danny Epper	....	stunts
Christopher Guy Grant	....	assistant to stunt coordinator (as Christopher Grant)
Gary Guercio	....	stunts
Chuck Picerni Jr.	....	stunt coordinator
Julia Adams	....	stunts (uncredited)
Jeff Galpin	....	stunt performer: Thug #1 (uncredited)
Terra Grant	....	assistant stunt coordinator (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Khader Alherimi	....	rigging electric
Khader Alherimi	....	rigging grip
Tarik Naim Alherimi	....	best boy electric (as Tarik Alherimi)
Tarik Naim Alherimi	....	rigging gaffer (as Tarik Alherimi)
Richard Ball	....	key grip
Skip Bolen	....	still photographer
Nathan Borck	....	digital imaging technician (as Nate Borck)
Sarah Bowman	....	second assistant camera: "a" camera
Richard Brun	....	grip
Victor Brunette	....	video assist operator
Wesley Bryant	....	rigging electric
Michael Charbonnet	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera
Stanley Chauvin	....	lamp operator
Jarrid Clinkinbeard	....	rigging electric
Tom Conrad	....	video playback/video
Duane Cooper	....	grip
Nezben Deason	....	rigging grip
Colette Delacroix	....	grip
Jonathan Dunn	....	rigging grip (as John Dunn)
Guy Fernandez	....	lamp operator
Robert Foster	....	camera operator: "b" camera
Stephen Fouasnon	....	camera data utilities
Brad Garris	....	generator operator: London
Brad Garris	....	lamp operator
Andrew Hawthorne	....	lamp operator
Dallas Hollomon	....	lamp operator
Richard T. Hoover	....	dolly grip: "a" camera
Jason Jackson	....	s.two camera technician
Ronaldo Jackson	....	lamp operator
Richard Landry	....	best boy electric
Richard Landry	....	dimmer board operator
Kevin Luster	....	grip
Matthew Madden	....	rigging electric
Jade Maggio	....	rigging grip
Kiya Maggio	....	key rigging grip
Dennis McAuley	....	rigging grip
BJ McDonnell	....	camera operator: "a" camera
BJ McDonnell	....	steadicam operator
Aeron McKeough	....	camera data utilities
Christopher Meydrich	....	rigging electric (as Chris Meydrick)
Jonathan Morrill	....	rigging electric
Robert Morrison	....	grip
Adrian Neri	....	best boy grip
Paul Olinde	....	chief lighting technician
Jerone A. Ordon Sr.	....	grip
Jerome Ordone	....	grip (as Jerone Odon)
Donald Roth	....	rigging grip
Felipe Savahge	....	rigging electric
Derek A. Schwebel	....	video assist operator
Joshua Sepe	....	grip
James Allen Sheppard	....	video assist operator (as James Sheppard)
Stephanie Sousa	....	lamp operator
Jared Talbot	....	best boy rigging electric
Tommy Tieche	....	first assistant camera: "a" camera
Aaron Toups	....	grip
Jesse Valenzuela	....	rigging electric
Chad Vanko	....	rigging electric
Lydia Vincent	....	second assistant camera: "b" camera
Charles B. Walker	....	rigging electric (as Charles Walker)
Ryan P. Ward	....	best boy grip (as Ryan Ward)
Ryan P. Ward	....	dolly grip: "b" camera (as Ryan Ward)
Barney Williamson	....	rigging grip
Casey Zimmerman	....	rigging electric
Brigitte Faucheaux	....	tv playback operator (uncredited)

Casting Department
Brent Caballero	....	casting: New Orleans
Ania Kamieniecki-O'Hare	....	casting associate (as Ania O'Hare)
Liz Ludwitzke	....	casting assistant
Hank Langlois	....	extras casting director (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Erica Ball	....	costume production assistant
Allison Bauserman	....	set costumer
Colette Delacroix	....	cutter/fitter
Sharon Fauvel	....	ager/dyer
Nina C. Nichols	....	costume production assistant
Reiko Porter	....	key set costumer
Laura Faye Sirkin-Brown	....	costume production assistant (as Laura Sirkin-Brown)
Jennifer Starzyk	....	assistant costume designer

Editorial Department
Bob Allen	....	assistant editor
Robert Coquia Jr.	....	digital intermediate data management: Laser Pacific (as Robert Coquia)
Kyle DeVriendt	....	digital intermediate film recordist: Laser Pacific
Pavel Dvorak	....	digital intermediate data management: Laser Pacific
Erik Hakanen	....	digital intermediate data management: Laser Pacific
Ron Ischovitsch	....	digital intermediate conformer: Laser Pacific
Doug Jaqua	....	color science: Laser Pacific
Chris Lubbers	....	digital intermediate producer: Laser Pacific
Chris McGregor	....	digital intermediate data management: Laser Pacific
Bryan McMahan	....	digital intermediate colorist: Laser Pacific
David Slaughter	....	digital intermediate film recordist: Laser Pacific
Ron Stanik	....	on-line editor
Brian Beard	....	digital intermediate editor (uncredited)

Music Department
David Abplanalp-Estime	....	music clearance: High Bias Industries
C.C. Adcock	....	music supervisor (as CC Adcock)
Brian Cachia	....	musician: percussion
King Cotton	....	music consultant and soul supply
Alexandra Fehrman	....	music editor
Wolfgang Matthes	....	score mixer: Wanted Studios
Brian Cachia	....	music programmer (uncredited)
Joanne Higginbottom	....	musician (uncredited)
Joe Paganelli	....	additional music clearances (uncredited)
Michael Wickstrom	....	music clearance executive (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Bruce Billings	....	driver
Michael Borreson	....	driver: Mc. McConaughey
Donald Burdett	....	transportation captain
John C. Chaney	....	driver: Mr. McConaughey (as John Chaney)
Paul Edwards	....	driver (as Paul R. Edwards)
George G. Everett	....	driver (as George Everett)
Wesley Gilbert	....	driver
Peter Gondrella	....	driver
Robert Husband	....	driver
Leroy Minor Jr.	....	driver
Mr. Greg Mitchell	....	driver (as Greg Mitchell)
Nick W. Pastrano	....	driver
Aaron Pigg	....	driver
Ron Poniewaz Jr.	....	transportation coordinator (as Ron Poniewaz)
Kenneth Rester	....	driver (as Ken Rester)
Roy Skaggs	....	driver
Reginald Smith	....	driver (as Reginald 'Trigger' Smith)
Willie C. Stringer Jr.	....	driver (as Willie Stringer)
Melvin Theriot	....	driver
Willie Williams Jr.	....	driver (as Willie Williams)

Other crew
Melanie Aymami	....	assistant craft service (as Melanie Burck)
Alfonso Barrientos	....	chef
Roy Barrios	....	construction medic
Fred Bernstein	....	insurance broker: AON/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services
Jennifer L. Brooks	....	production accountant (as Jennifer Brooks)
Lee Brown	....	construction medic
Lauren Claret	....	accounting consultant
John Collins	....	location scout
Marisa Creed	....	accounting clerk
Reed Daigle	....	accounting clerk
Christian de Gallegos	....	international sales agent: Voltage Pictures
Nadine DeBarros	....	international sales agent: Voltage Pictures
Lauren Doyle	....	construction medic
Irene Flores	....	legal services: Eisner, Frank & Kahan
Mario Flores	....	chef assistant
Jason Fogelson	....	epk videographer
Darin Frank	....	legal services: Eisner, Frank & Kahan
Marcia Franklin	....	assistant: Mr. Friedkin
Lindsey Fredieu	....	set production assistant
Will French	....	financier: produced in association with Film Production
Mariana Furtado	....	completion guarantor: Film Finances/Film Finances Louisiana
Daniel Ippolito	....	office production assistant
Thomas D. Jennings	....	first assistant accountant
Thomas D. Jennings	....	payroll accountant
Viv June	....	international sales agent: Voltage Pictures
Otis Knighten	....	animal wrangler (as O.J. Knighten)
Katie Kuykendall	....	production secretary (as Katie Glisson)
Katie Kuykendall	....	production secretary
Charlotte Lancaster	....	assistant craft service
John Landers	....	key craft service (as John R. Landers)
Yvette LaPlace	....	location scout
John Lavis	....	set medic
Pierre Leblanc	....	financier: Gap Financing Privided by FIDEC, Entertainment
Mike Leonard	....	key set production assistant
Laura Marchese	....	travel agent: Travel Central
Alma Martinez	....	caterer: Alex in the Kitchen
Wilene Martinsen	....	assistant craft service
Candace Mayfield	....	assistant location manager
Lorrie McNaught	....	insurance broker: AON/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services
John A. Mmahat Jr.	....	location manager (as Johnny Mmahat)
Roberto S. Montoya	....	second assistant chef (as Roberto Montoya)
Matthew Moreno	....	international sales agent: Voltage Pictures
Emily Newell	....	production office manager
Erica Olivarez	....	travel coordinator
Norris Ortolano	....	assistant locations manager
Sandy Parker	....	script supervisor
Shannon Parker	....	basecamp production assistant
Victoria Payne	....	office production assistant
Stephen Roberts	....	financier: Capttal, LLC.
Ashley Romain	....	office production assistant
Thomas S. Rubin	....	legal services: Rowan & Rubin (as Thomas Rubin)
Jorge Santos	....	first assistant chef
Phil Seifert	....	location consultant
Giancarlo J. Sini	....	financial controller (as Giancarlo Sini)
Adam M. Stone	....	product placement coordinator (as Adam Stone)
Cat Stone	....	product placement coordinator (as Catherine Stone)
Toby Thiermann	....	epk producer
Eric W. Thompson	....	post-production
A.J. Timmcke	....	production coordinator
Douglas A. Torres	....	chef assistant
Sonia Torres	....	set production assistant
Alex Uceda	....	caterer: Alex in the Kitchen
Matt Warren	....	completion guarantor: Film Finances/Film Finances Louisiana
Kimberly Williams	....	completion guarantor: Film Finances/Film Finances Louisiana
Lisa Wolofsky	....	financier: Investment, Limited Partnership
Carol Wood	....	construction medic
Louis Zlotowicz	....	location scout
Tony Zudyk	....	client services: Laser Pacific
Howard Brodsky	....	assistant: Nicolas Chartier (uncredited)
Maria Cestone	....	financier (uncredited)
Derek Di Biagio	....	assistant: Matthew McConaughey (uncredited)
Robert Douthat	....	photo double/stand-in: Matthew McConaughey (uncredited)
Elena Duffy	....	stand-in: Juno Temple (uncredited)
Justin Groetsch	....	production coordinator (uncredited)
Patrick Mizell	....	location scout (uncredited)
Valerie Ryan	....	location scout (uncredited)
Spencer Tracy	....	stand-in (uncredited)
Niraj Trivedi	....	office production assistant (uncredited)

Thanks
Joe Paganelli	....	thanks

Production Companies

• Voltage Pictures
• Picture Perfect (I)
• Worldview Entertainment
• ANA Media

Distributors

• Audio Visual Entertainment (2012) (Greece) (theatrical)
• Belga Films (2012) (Belgium) (theatrical)
• Bolero Film (2012) (Italy) (theatrical)
• Entertainment One Benelux (2012) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Entertainment One (2012) (UK) (theatrical)
• Future Film (2012) (Finland) (theatrical)
• LD Entertainment (2012) (USA) (theatrical)
• PARLUX Entertainment (2012) (Hungary) (theatrical)
• Pyramide Distribution (2012) (France) (theatrical)
• Roadshow Film Distributors (2012) (Australia) (theatrical)
• Ascot Elite Entertainment Group (2012) (Switzerland) (all media)
• Audio Visual Entertainment (2012) (Greece) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Califórnia (2012) (Brazil) (all media)
• Entertainment One Benelux (2013) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Entertainment One Benelux (2013) (Netherlands) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Lionsgate Home Entertainment (2012) (USA) (DVD)
• Lionsgate Home Entertainment (2012) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Midget Entertainment (2012) (Denmark) (all media)
• Nu Metro Productions (2012) (South Africa) (all media)
• Top Films (2012) (Russia) (all media)
• VVS Films (2012) (Canada) (all media)
• Village Roadshow (2012) (Australia) (all media)
• WVG Medien GmbH (2012) (Germany) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Digital Post Services (visual effects services provided by)

Other Companies

• 360 Communication Rentals  walkies
• AON/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services  insurance provided by
• ARRI / Camera Service Center  camera equipment provided by
• Alex's in-the-Kitchen  catering provided by (as Alex in the Kitchen)
• Cajun Stunts  camera atv
• Cajun Stunts  camera quad
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  camera car
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  camera cranes
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  camera dollies
• Crescent Film Services Security  set security provided by
• Dolby Laboratories  sound mix
• Ease Entertainment Services  payroll services provided by
• Eisner, Frank & Kahan  legal services provided by
• Event Restroom  restrooms
• Film Finances Louisiana  completion guaranty provided by
• Film Finances  completion guaranty provided by
• Film Production Capital  tax credit financing
• Fintage Cam  collection account management provided by
• High Bias Industries  music clearance by
• Hollywood Trucks  Entertainment Transportation
• Intelligent Media  international monitoring agency
• LaserPacific  digital intermediate services provided by (as Laser Pacific)
• Milan Records  soundtrack
• Rowan & Rubin  legal services provided by
• Runway  post-production
• Screen Actors Guild (SAG)  special thanks (as Screen Actors Guild)
• Second Line Stages  sound stage provided by
• Silver Screen Supply  location equipment/rentals
• Silver Screen Supply  production services
• Stone Management  product placement
• Todd-AO Studios  audio services provided by
• Travel Central  travel agent services provided by

Also Known As:

"Killer Joe: A Twisted Redneck Trailer Park Murder Story" - USA (alternative title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong and disturbing violence, sexuality, graphic nudity, drug use and language (edited for re-rating)

Runtime:

102 min (original version) | 98 min (cut version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

USA:NC-17 (certificate #47457) (rating surrendered) | Ireland:18 | Netherlands:16 | UK:18 | Australia:R | New Zealand:R18 | Germany:Not Rated (SPIO/JK) (uncut) | South Korea:18 | France:12 (with warning) | USA:R (edited for re-rating) | Italy:VM14 | Brazil:18 | Norway:15 | USA:Unrated (uncut version) | Singapore:R21 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Louisiana, USA

Company:

Voltage Pictures

Trivia:

In an interview Gina Gershon revealed that she wore a merkin. After ordering a wide variety, she settled on one she named Bertha.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the train track scene with Chris and Dottie, his facial scars are missing.

Quotes:

Chris Smith:You ever hear of Joe Copper? He's a cop. A detective actually. He's got a little business on the side.

Movie Connections:

References "Magnum, P.I." (1980)

Soundtrack:

These Boots Are Made For Walkin'

William Friedkin serves up Trailer Trash Neo-Noir with a side order of Fried Chicken.

Killer Joe is directed by William Friedkin and adapted to screenplay by Tracy Letts from his own play of the same name. It stars Matthew McConaughey, Emile Hirsch, Juno Temple, Thomas Haden Church and Gina Gershon. Music is scored by Tyler Bates and cinematography by Caleb Deschanel. Plot finds Hirsch as Chris Smith, who because he is in severe debt to local thugs, hatches a plan to bump off his waster of a mother and claim the life insurance. Roping in the rest of his trailer dwelling family, he hires Killer Joe (McConaughey), a cop with a sideline in murder, but the Smith's have no idea just what price they will have to pay for his services.

So pulpy, so amusingly dark, Killer Joe is one of those films that will sit at the top of many film fan's best of lists for 2012. Yet if someone came up to me and declared it one of the worst then I certainly will understand. Undeniably it has no widespread appeal, you either get it or you don't, you will either laugh along with Friedkin and his dark observations or you will feel the whole thing is just too ugly to be entertainment. Man it's good to have Friedkin back pushing peoples buttons!

Filmed in Texas in under three weeks, Killer Joe is a film that walks the fine line of misogyny and perversity for perversity's sake. But it never falls over that mark, even though these are scummy characters living in a scummy world, where there's sex and violence, and violent simulated sex and nudity; all of which is cloaked by a sweaty crime gone wrong caper. Much of the film is dialogue driven, rest assured this is very talky, but the director wrings out much tension and salaciousness from every character interaction, the slow-burn approach only heightening the sense of dread. When the finale comes, and it's a cracker-jack ending, there's an almost merciful release that it's all over. These are people you wouldn't want to hang out with ever, only there's Friedkin chuckling away to himself having made us spend an hour and forty minutes with this grime laden crew. If you feel like you need a bath afterwards, that's perfectly natural.

Friedkin has garnered terrific performances from a top line cast. Hirsch (powder-keg), Church (naievity extraordinaire), Temple (virginal piggy in the middle) and Gershon (bold and suspicious), are all giving disturbing credibility to the material, but as good as they are they are trumped considerably by McConaughey. One of the most frustrating actors working today, much like Cage, a ream of poor movies adorn his CV, but once in a while he throws in a performance of such genuine quality that it begs to be acknowledged by his peers. Here as Killer Joe he lays on a Faust like menace, delivering his lines with clinically calm precision, yet still there's a glint in his eye, we know a black heart beats there but he can charm a snake out of its basket, a girl out of her underwear......

Unflinching direction, bravura performances and neo-noir at its near best, one of the best films of 2012 so far. Well, to some of us at least.... 9/10