Destroyer (2018)

A police detective reconnects with people from an undercover assignment in her distant past in order to make peace.

Director:

Karyn Kusama

Writers:

Phil Hay, Matt Manfredi

Stars:

Nicole Kidman, Toby Kebbell, Tatiana Maslany

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 19 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nicole Kidman	...	Erin Bell
Toby Kebbell	...	Silas
Tatiana Maslany	...	Petra
Sebastian Stan	...	Chris
Scoot McNairy	...	Ethan
Bradley Whitford	...	DiFranco
Toby Huss	...	Gil Lawson
James Jordan	...	Toby
Beau Knapp	...	Jay
Jade Pettyjohn	...	Shelby
Shamier Anderson	...	Antonio
Zach Villa	...	Arturo
Natalia Cordova-Buckley	...	Det. Gavras
Colby French	...	Det. Kudra
Kelvin Han Yee	...	Lt. Oshima

Storyline

Destroyer follows the moral and existential odyssey of LAPD detective Erin Bell who, as a young cop, was placed undercover with a gang in the California desert with tragic results. When the leader of that gang re-emerges many years later, she must work her way back through the remaining members and into her own history with them to finally reckon with the demons that destroyed her past.

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Plot Keywords:

female police detective | undercover cop | bank robbery | revenge | title directed by female | 

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Taglines:

There's nothing to lose when you've already lost everything.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language throughout, violence, some sexual content and brief drug use

Did You Know?

Trivia

Chris's (Sebastian Stan) tattoo on his right arm is actually a picture of the actors real life mother, along with her initials.

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Goofs

In scene where Kidman sits on town wall to talk to her daughter, Shelby's boyfriend (Toby), as shot changes between his and her look at one another, passers by in background do not match: first striped clothing woman walking towards them, from Toby P.o.V. to Kidman, approaching, back to instant Kidman P.o.V. of Toby, she is already walking away: next, blue-suited man with briefcase walking past Toby (from Kidman P.o.V.): next shot of Kidman, he does not pass: two further shot changes, one to Toby, then back to Kidman (some minute+ passing) and suddenly, now there he having passed by in background to Kidman.

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Quotes

Erin Bell: I didn't want you to be like me. I'm mad, I'm still fucking mad, it's burned a circuit in my brain.

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Connections

Featured in The Graham Norton Show: Nicole Kidman/Stephen Fry/Joe Lycett/Geraint Thomas/Take That (2018)

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Soundtracks

Gardenia
Written by Brant Bjork
Performed by Kyuss
Published by Dune Boogie Tunes
Courtesy of Elektra Entertainment Group
By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing

User Reviews

Soul Destroying

Slow, boring and overly pretentious. Bland plot that is thinly spread over 2 painful hours. Kidman plodding around like she's soiled her pants isn't great acting - BMX Bandits is a better example of her fare. If you are expecting a pacy action thriller, avoid this. I would've walked out after 30 mins had it not sent me to sleep.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 December 2018 (Israel)

Also Known As:

Destroyer

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$9,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$55,347, 30 December 2018

Gross USA:

$1,533,324

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$5,580,940

Company Credits

Production Co:

Annapurna Pictures, 30WEST, Automatik Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

121 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1