The Killer’s Game, based on Jay Bonansinga’s 1997 novel of the same name, marks J.J. Perry’s second directorial effort. Perry made his bones in Hollywood with stunt work. Stuntman, stunt coordinator, fight choreographer, you name it, he’s done it. With 2022’s Day Shift, he made the transition to director, following in the footsteps of other stunt workers, like Chad Stahelski, Sam Hargrave, and David Leitch, to name a few. And while The Killer’s Game doesn’t measure up to the highs of some of his fellow stuntmen-turned-directors, it’s still a fun enough action-comedy romp.
The Killer’s Game plot
When elite international assassin Joe Flood (Dave Bautista) receives a terminal diagnosis, he takes measures into his own hands. He wants to trigger a life insurance policy for his girlfriend Maize (Sofia Boutella). He doesn’t want to succumb to the disease over a miserable last few months, and a suicide invalidates the policy. So he makes the obvious pivot: he takes out a hit on himself.
But with just minutes to spare until the contract goes live, he receives the news from his doctor that he was misdiagnosed; he’s not dying. Too late to call off the hit, Joe now has to fend off some of the best assassins Europe has to offer.
The Killer’s Game review
The Killer’s Game has a great premise, but it takes it sweet time getting to the good stuff. The first 45 minutes or so are clunky and uneven. The jokes don’t mostly miss, the Joe-Maize romance feels forced and awkward. But the script at least does a good job setting up Joe’s character. You know who he is from the jump, what his motivations are, what he’s struggling with, both mentally and physically. The movie does just enough right in its initial setup to keep you invested, and that pays off once we get to the meat of the action.
After Joe learns of the misdiagnosis and he starts having to fend off all the would-be assassins, everything starts humming along at a much more exciting clip, and the action and fun levels kick up a few notches. This is where Perry’s stunt experience comes into play. There’s just a different energy once we get to this point. As you would expect, Perry’s directing feels much more natural during the fights and stunts sequences, and there’s no shortage of creativity.
Perry and the stunt team did a tremendous job coordinating (very) bloody kill after bloody kill. Every assassin Joe faces off against has their own unique style or method. So rather than having endless shootouts, or the same old hand to hand combat, we get something different every time. It keeps the movie feeling fresh, even as the story continues down its generic path.
As fun as the characters are though, they mostly come and go pretty quickly, leaving Bautista as the only one who is given any sort of interesting arc beyond what we see on the surface. There was a chance for Maize to be a better developed character, but that opportunity is fumbled. She’s extremely likable, but she really only exists to be a motivating factor and driving force for Joe’s story. And it’s a shame, because Boutella is really good in the role.
As brief as many of the other characters’ screen time is, they make the most of it. Each killer – or in some cases team of killers – is establised so well, that they all leave a lasting impression. Ben Kingsley is excellent as Joe’s handler, mentor, and friend Zvi, earning the most consistent laughs of any character. Pom Klementieff is diabolical in the best way as Marianna, through whom Joe arranges the hit. She gives the kind of over the top performance that fits in perfectly in a movie like this. And any time an action movie casts Scott Adkins, you know you’re in for a good time. He delivers the goods, as he always does.
All that being said, the best thing The Killer’s Game has going for it – the fighting and stunts – too often feels like an old-school video game, simply going from level to level, with no real connective tissue in between. You’re having a good time watching it, but there’s not a whole lot there to keep you emotionally invested.
Is The Killer’s Game worth watching?
The Killer’s Game is exactly what you would expect it to be. If this kind of movie typically appeals to you, then you’ll at least have fun with it.
The Killer’s Game comes to theaters September 13.
The Killer’s Game Review – Fun, Creative Action Romp
The Killer’s Game starts off slow and clunky. But once it finds its footing, you’re in for a good time. There’s not much here to keep you emotionally invested, but with solid and creative action, there’s still plenty of fun to be had.
