Simon Killer (2012)

A recent college graduate flees to Paris after a break-up, where his involvement with a prostitute begins to reveal a potentially dark recent past.

Director:

Antonio Campos

Writers:

Antonio Campos, Antonio Campos (story)

Stars:

Brady Corbet, Mati Diop, Lila Salet

1 win & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Brady Corbet	...	Simon
Nicolas Ronchi	...	Carlo
Constance Rousseau	...	Marianne
Lila Salet	...	Sophie
Etienne Rotha Moeng	...	Cambodian Man
Yannis Calonnec	...	Street Hustler
Johan Jacques-Andre Coquin	...	Brothel Runner
Mati Diop	...	Victoria / Noura
Shaina	...	Madame
Oksana	...	Hostess Bar Worker
Anais	...	Hostess Bar Worker (as Anaïs)
Catie	...	Hostess Bar Worker
Frederic Jolie	...	Customer
Alexandra Neil	...	Simon's Mom (as Alexandra Neill)
Samir Hartouf	...	Gare du Nord Kid

Storyline

Recently heartbroken, Simon travels to Paris to clear his head. After several days of wandering aimlessly, Simon finds himself drawn into a sex parlor and has a sexual encounter with an exotic prostitute, Victoria. The chemistry builds between the two until they find themselves in a serious relationship, one that leads to blackmail, betrayal and the ultimate revelation of Simon's true nature.

---

Plot Keywords:

prostitute | blackmail | masturbation | male rear nudity | written by director | 

---

Genres:

Drama | Thriller

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in The Heart Machine (2014)

---

Soundtracks

It Takes a Muscle to Fall in Love
Written by Henri Overduin and Michael Mulders
Performed by 'Spectral Display'
Courtesy of EMI Music Netherlands B.V., Under license from EMI Film & TV Music

User Reviews

Masterly and All Too Rare: An Utterly Realistic Portrayal of a Sociopath.

Within its first 5 minutes I could already sense that I was about to watch a masterful movie. For this is a most brilliant study of, and glimpse into, the life of a sociopath. At times, it is so 'fly on the wall', and so brilliantly acted, that I almost had to remind myself that this was fiction I was witnessing.

It's written and directed by Antonio Campos, who is admittedly not so well known as a screenwriter, having written only one other feature length movie back in 2008; A fact which is moreover, and to my belief, a tragedy for Campos - because he has most certainly proved himself with this movie, to be an exceptional screenwriter. Simon Killer is, in other words, extremely underrated. Nonetheless, as for its direction, production, acting, screenplay and musical score - all come together in an all too rare, & near perfect, unison.

But why is it underrated? Basically, people cannot and just won't 'like' this movie, precisely because sociopaths are nasty people who callously make the lives of everyone they contact, worse for knowing them. Accordingly, watching a movie about such a person, even one that is as interesting and accurate as Simon Killer, is not therefore a fun or enjoyable experience for any typical audience - at least in the sense that 'enjoyable' should bring a smile onto one's face. For this movie won't endear smiles at any point.

Whereas DeNero's studied psychopath, in Taxi Driver, occasionally brought a wry smile to one's face, and was popularly received as a bit of a misunderstood 'anti-hero', Brady Corbet's Simon is not only always engaging as a character study, but he's always, also, all too steely manipulating, and disgustingly self absorbed. Frankly, of the many movies I've seen, I can think of no other movie, before this, which so realistically portrays how a sociopath engages with other people who pass through his life. And, as such, I cannot recommend this movie highly enough, particularly for those of you, who are analytically minded enough, so as to appreciate its utter brilliance. Again, I'm not promising that anyone will, or could possibly 'like' this movie. Rather, I believe a minority of others will deeply appreciate its very excellence.

Details

Country:

USA France

Language:

English French

Release Date:

12 April 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

Simon Killer

Filming Locations:

Paris, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,054, 7 April 2013

Gross USA:

$27,740

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$27,740

Company Credits

Production Co:

FilmHaven Entertainment, BorderLine Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1