Kill List (2011)

Nearly a year after a botched job, a hitman takes a new assignment with the promise of a big payoff for three killings. What starts off as an easy task soon unravels, sending the killer into the heart of darkness.

Director:

Ben Wheatley

Writers:

Ben Wheatley, Amy Jump

Stars:

Neil Maskell, MyAnna Buring, Harry Simpson

3 wins & 18 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Neil Maskell	...	Jay
MyAnna Buring	...	Shel
Harry Simpson	...	Sam
Michael Smiley	...	Gal
Emma Fryer	...	Fiona
Struan Rodger	...	The Client
Esme Folley	...	Hotel Receptionist
Ben Crompton	...	Justin
Gemma Lise Thornton	...	Kiera
Robin Hill	...	Stuart
Zoe Thomas	...	Hotel Waitress
Gareth Tunley	...	The Priest
Jamelle Ola	...	Hotel Receptionist 2
Mark Kempner	...	The Librarian
Damien Thomas	...	The Doctor

Storyline

Nearly a year after a botched job, a hitman takes a new assignment with the promise of a big payoff for three killings. What starts off as an easy task soon unravels, sending the killer into the heart of darkness.

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Plot Keywords:

hitman | folk horror | child killed | contract killer | ritual sacrifice | 

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The rainbow featured prominently in the film is a real one. There was a rainbow written into another scene, but it was changed when the crew saw one during the shooting of the scene.

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Goofs

In the hotel lobby, Jay uses a chip and pin payment for their room. It is obvious that the Visa card being used is put in the wrong way round. The chip is directly below the Visa logo in the top left hand corner of the card which can easily be seen whilst in the card reader.

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Quotes

Gal: Come on, mate. Let's get you to bed. Don't pay any attention to them, they are just over-excited.
Sam: Why?
Gal: Because they have been drinking, all right? Don't you ever drink, do you hear me? Promise?
Sam: Not even water?
Gal: Especially not that shit. Do you know the government puts stuff in it that shrinks your balls?

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Connections

Referenced in Sean Bradley Reviews: Free Fire (2017)

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Soundtracks

It Could Have Been Better
Written by Joan Armatrading and Pam Nestor
Published by Onward Music Ltd./Bucks Music Group Ltd.
Courtesy of Tuesday Productions Ltd./Onward Music Ltd.

User Reviews

Can't recommend this movie because it has little to say

A good gauge of this movie's having little to work with in the way of a script is the inordinately long beginning which drags on for about 30 minutes. With a synopsis promising a hit man on his last assignment you'd expect a little more action. But this is hardly an action film, more of a slow moving horror film. They seemed to have spent a lot of effort filming some of the more gruesome ways to die, for example.

You are teased from early on with notions carrying satanic undertones. But the hints are quite obscure and they're not brought together until the very end. Still, after it's over, it's understandable why they're so muffled within the story's earlier parts.

I did watch the whole thing and with the exception of the first half hour was most impressed with the actors, in particular. The two leads are both engaging enough to keep your interest. One is the harried married man and the other the loyal bachelor friend liked by both the married guy and his wife. They both manage to convey very realistic behavior and emotions. Even the wife is well played.

But, in the end, this is light fare, a mildly interesting idea that didn't quite gel.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

UK

Language:

English Swedish

Release Date:

2 September 2011 (UK)

Also Known As:

Kill List

Filming Locations:

England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

GBP500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$9,838, 5 February 2012

Gross USA:

$29,063

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$450,275

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warp X, Rook Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1