The Killer’s Game, directed by J.J. Perry features a mix of action, comedy, and romance with Dave Bautista in the lead role. Adapted from Jay R. Bonansinga‘s novel, the movie tells the story of Joe Flood, a hitman who mistakenly orders a contract on his life after receiving an incorrect terminal diagnosis.
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Joe Flood, a professional assassin played by Dave Bautista experiences frequent headaches and double vision while performing his lethal duties. After undergoing medical tests, he’s told he has an incurable disease, giving him only three months to live.
With the prognosis in mind and wanting to leave the world on his terms, Joe orders a $2 million contract on his own life. His plan is to die with dignity and provide financial security for his fiancée, Maize, a ballerina he fell in love with.
Shortly after placing the hit, Joe’s doctor frantically informs him that the diagnosis was a mistake caused by a mix-up in lab results. The problem? It’s too late to cancel the contract and now, a string of assassins are after him, eager to claim the bounty.
Bautista’s portrayal of Joe Flood is the strength of the film. His offbeat screen presence helps keep the film grounded as it transitions between genres from action sequences to comedic banter and even romantic moments.
The relationship between Joe and Maize improbably works with Bautista’s physicality contrasting against his love-struck character.
Ben Kingsley shines as Joe’s handler, Zvi Rabinowitz, adding humor to the film. Kingsley’s character along with his wife provides much of the film’s lighter moments, as they treat Joe more like a son than a client.
Directed by J.J. Perry is known for his work in the John Wick franchise, the film’s action scenes are tightly choreographed and brutal. The fight sequences are so gory they test the boundaries of an R-rating using dismemberment and graphic violence to elevate the stakes.
The screenplay was adapted by Rand Ravich and James Coyne. Assassins pursuing Joe are presented as quirky, exotic characters.
For instance one French hitman incorporates flamenco dancing into his murders, while Scottish brothers have their dialogue subtitled due to their thick accents.
The humor lands only occasionally, as the script sometimes struggles to balance its tonal shifts between violent action and lighthearted moments.
Pom Klementieff known for her role in Guardians of the Galaxy, plays Antoinette, who holds a grudge against Joe and leads the assassins after him. Her character is integral to the plot and despite her opportunity to cancel Joe’s hit, she relishes the chance to see him dead due to personal vendettas.
Terry Crews brings his signature style to the film as Lovedahl, one of the most physically imposing assassins after Joe. His character’s humor stems from his frustration with his inept assistant.
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One of the film’s strengths is its European locations particularly Budapest. The Budapest Opera House serves as the location for the opening action sequence.
The premise of a hitman trying to cancel a bounty on his life after a medical mistake has been explored in various forms before, giving the movie an air of over-familiarity.
Additionally, moments of dialogue such as the expected line “Don’t hate the player, hate the game,” feel predictable and detract from the originality of the story.
Comparisons to the John Wick franchise are inevitable given Perry’s involvement as a stunt coordinator for that series.
While John Wick brought innovation to the assassin genre, The Killer’s Game lacks the same level of originality.
In The Killer’s Game’s finale, Joe manages to outsmart and defeat most of his rivals with help from Maize. After defeating the assassins and reconciling with Maize, Joe declares that he’s retired from the life of a contract killer. They even celebrate their future with a wedding and the birth of their first child.
Despite Joe’s declaration of retirement, the film leaves the door open for a sequel.
The Killer’s Game earned less than $500,000 during its Thursday preview screenings, managing only $300,000 by the end of the night.
This number is relatively low when compared to Speak No Evil, another new release on the same weekend, which grossed $1.3 million in previews.
The Killer’s Game is projected to earn between $1 million to $1.5 million on its opening day including the $300,000 from Thursday previews.
Current predictions estimate that the action-comedy will earn between $2.5 million and $4 million over the course of its opening weekend.
Speak No Evil, starring James McAvoy and Scoot McNairy, the horror-thriller Speak No Evil opened on the same weekend as The Killer’s Game and has fared better.
The horror film is expected to take in around $12.5 million over its 3-day weekend after a strong start with $1.3 million in previews and an estimated $5 million for Friday.
Speak No Evil benefits from strong critical reviews, an 84% score on Rotten Tomatoes, as well as a compelling storyline that has resonated with audiences.
Another film dominating the box office is Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, which is expected to rake in $50 million during its second weekend. The Tim Burton-directed sequel continues to draw large crowds.
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