The release of Killer’s Anonymous on Blu-ray/DVD Includes an Alternate Ending along with other goodies. Avery different kind of assassin’s film, this one has a few twists you’ll never see coming. And, if you are a fan of misdirection, then check out some of the tricks of the trade. Even though it may be a bit predictable to some, it still works as a “what if” movie.
As the story begins Senator John Kyle (Sam Hazeldine) has been shot by an assassin and the headlines have the nation in shock. Presumed dead, the Senator was next in line to run for the Presidency of the USA. Hours later several men and women enter an undisclosed room in a building and take chairs for a strange meeting. It’s their regular psychological assessment for Killers Anonymous and some are arriving late.
The meeting is also, like AA or NA, a support group for killers that’s held regularly. The participants sit in a circle of trust and share their transgressions. Jo (MyAnna Buring) is the leader of the group and she gets right to it asking if someone wants to start telling the group what’s on their mind.
The assassins attending are Ben (Elliot James Langridge), Krystal (Elizabeth Morris), Markus (Tommy Flanagan), Leandro (Michael Socha), Calvin (Tim McInnerny), and a mystery guest (Rhyon Nicole Brown). When they start getting into their recent killings, the question comes up if anyone was involved with the shooting of Senator Kyle. The request opens a discussion leading to an impasse that gets out of control.
The film is well written and a very innovative idea to get seven killers in a room at the same time and be able to come up with a plot that isn’t just killing each other. But, Director and one of three writers were out to entertain and for action junkies they do just that. The actors chosen for each of the assassins are spot on with the characters given a unique personality. Delivering enough surprises to make the film more unpredictable, the filmmakers are able to pull it off.
Gary Oldman looks a little rough around the edges adding a taste of his character being on the cusp of retirement. His “The Man” is seen on the sideline directing someone via phone to do his bidding. I like the way the filmmakers use side-by-side shots as he works with one of his troubled assassins called Jade played by Jessica Alba while puppet mastering participants in the Killers Anonymous group meeting.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
“Commentary” With Director Martin Owen, and Cinematographer Havard Helle
“Deleted Scenes” ‘After Alice Story’, ‘Alice Phone Call’, ‘Calvin Story’, ‘Leo and Calvin Improv,’, ‘Tommy And The C.I.A.’, ‘Tommy Interrupts Ben’
“Alternate Ending”
Killers Anonymous has been rated R by the MPAA for bloody violence, and pervasive language including some sexual references. Beware that some of the killing looks very real and may even be a bit overstated for some viewers.
FINAL ANALYSIS: The home video shows best to the Mystery/Action target audience. (3.5 out of 5 Stars)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Gary Oldman, Jessica Alba, Sadie Frost, MyAnna Buring, Suki Waterhouse, Tommy Flanagan, Elliot James Langridge, Elizabeth Morris, Michael Socha, Tim McInnerny, Rhyon Nicole Brown, Sam Hazeldine
Directed by: Martin Owen
Genre: Action, Crime, Mystery
MPAA Rating: R for bloody violence, and pervasive language including some sexual references
Running Time: 1 hr. 36 min.
Video Release Date: August 27, 2019
Original Theatrical Release Date: June 28, 2019
Language: English
Reviewed Format: Blu-ray
Audio: Blu-ray DTS-HD Master Audio5.1
Video: 1080p HD 16×9, Aspect Ratio 2.35:1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
Number of Discs: 1 disc plus digital code
Distributed by: Lionsgate
Released on: Blu-ray, DVD, Digital
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
