Killer Joe

Name: Killer Joe
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Comedy, Crime
Released: July 27, 2012
Duration: 102 min
Rating: 62
Cast: Emile Hirsch, Gina Gershon, Juno Temple, Matthew McConaughey, Thomas Haden Church

2012

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 38 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 156 Ratings

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6.6

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6.6	Your Score
6.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 156 Ratings

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Killer Joe

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Movie Details & Credits

LD Entertainment | Release Date: July 27, 2012 | NC-17

Starring: Emile Hirsch, Gina Gershon, Juno Temple, Matthew McConaughey, Thomas Haden Church

Summary: When 22-year-old Chris finds himself in debt to a drug lord, he hires a hit man to dispatch his mother, whose $50,000 life insurance policy benefits his sister Dottie. Chris finds Joe Cooper, a creepy, crazy Dallas cop who moonlights as a contract killer. When Chris can't pay Joe upfront, Joe sets his sight on Dottie as collateral for theWhen 22-year-old Chris finds himself in debt to a drug lord, he hires a hit man to dispatch his mother, whose $50,000 life insurance policy benefits his sister Dottie. Chris finds Joe Cooper, a creepy, crazy Dallas cop who moonlights as a contract killer. When Chris can't pay Joe upfront, Joe sets his sight on Dottie as collateral for the job. The contract killer and his hostage develop an unusual bond. Like from a modern-day, twisted fairy tale, "Killer Joe" Cooper becomes the prince to Dottie's Cinderella. (LD Entertainment) … Expand

Director: William Friedkin

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller, Comedy, Crime

Rating: NC-17

Runtime: 102 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Adam Nayman

Aug 10, 2012

Credit goes to the actors (especially Gershon) for giving almost as good as they get in seriously demanding roles, and to Friedkin for having what it takes – guts, chops and a refreshing lack of artistic caution – to bring things thundering home. Read full review

Scott Tobias

Jul 25, 2012

This is not some nostalgia-soaked throwback to the noir of old, but a rude, shit-kicking thriller that co-opts - and merrily defiles - a classic like "Double Indemnity." Whatever its shortcomings, at least they're never failures of nerve. Read full review

Betsy Sharkey

Aug 2, 2012

By far the film's deadliest weapon is McConaughey. The way the actor leans into threats, dropping his voice, wrapping eloquence in sinister tones, is skin-crawling. The muscles in his neck literally seem to tense one by one. And if the eyes are the window to the soul, you really don't want to peer for long into his. It is not an easy performance to watch, but it is unforgettable. Read full review

Peter Travers

Jul 26, 2012

Even when the film goes too far over the top to be saved, McConaughey mesmerizes. Read full review

Joe Williams

Aug 24, 2012

Killer Joe is one of the most repugnant parodies of small-town stupidity that you will ever see, and Friedkin amplifies the shrill obscenities with blaring cartoon and kung-fu footage from his art director's fever dreams. Read full review

Claudia Puig

Aug 2, 2012

The bone-crunchingly violent film has luridly entertaining moments. But by its resolution, this sleazy Southern Gothic nightmare has simply gone off the rails. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

Jul 26, 2012

Killer Joe is, at bottom - and I mean bottom - ugly and vile, not to mention dumb and clumsy. Read full review

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User Reviews

Eilidh2

Sep 30, 2014

A comedy as black as Beelzebub's soul. Brutality, sexual violence - not a film for the faint of heart or easily shocked. William Friedkin shows he hasn't mellowed in old age. Matthew McConaughey gives a brilliant performance as a cop who moonlights as a hit man and exploits with glee aA comedy as black as Beelzebub's soul. Brutality, sexual violence - not a film for the faint of heart or easily shocked. William Friedkin shows he hasn't mellowed in old age. Matthew McConaughey gives a brilliant performance as a cop who moonlights as a hit man and exploits with glee a family whose stupidity is matched only by their greed. This is Tennessee Williams on steroids.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

NeverLift

Sep 8, 2012

If you are turned off by violence realistically portrayed (no computer-generated antics here), stay away. None of it is gratuitous, all are essential -- and it is strong stuff. The movie builds in intensity relentlessly, all the way through, maintaining a reality within its milieu, andIf you are turned off by violence realistically portrayed (no computer-generated antics here), stay away. None of it is gratuitous, all are essential -- and it is strong stuff. The movie builds in intensity relentlessly, all the way through, maintaining a reality within its milieu, and left us almost breathless as the final encounter builds and builds. Every character is believable while the story line goes deeper and deeper into their desperation, arrogance, cowardice, greed, love, infidelity, stupidity, and sadistic domination. "Love Story" it ain't. But it is a gem of what it set out to be.… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

BrianMcCritic

Mar 11, 2013

This film shows everyone how good Matthew McConaughey is when he's in the right role. Sure there are a few disturbing things in this film, but I kind of dug it anyway.

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

TheQuietGamer

Jun 8, 2013

I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed this movie considering how dark, brutal, and sometimes down-right disgusting it can be. More impressive is how it can make you laugh. It's a look at the darker, greedier side of people and how simple ignorance can cost us greatly. The cast is fantastic,I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed this movie considering how dark, brutal, and sometimes down-right disgusting it can be. More impressive is how it can make you laugh. It's a look at the darker, greedier side of people and how simple ignorance can cost us greatly. The cast is fantastic, Matthew McConaughey, Juno Temple, and Thomas Haden Church give the best performances I've seen from them yet, and let's be honest Emile Hirsch was born to give fantastic performances like this one. It's a great movie, the only complaint I have is that the ending was kind of a cliff hanger. It's perfectly acceptable, but it really felt like there should have been a few more minutes before the credits rolled. In the end it's a great and graphic movie that you should check out. Just be sure you can handle brutal movies, or this one will mess you up.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

TVJerry

Oct 2, 2012

This ambitious film tries to be trashy noir, but ends up mostly garbage. A trailer park family (Emile Hirsch, Gina Gershon, Thomas Haden Church) conspires to kill their estranged matriarch for her money and hire a pro (Matthew McConaughey) to do the job. Turns out he's real twisted and whenThis ambitious film tries to be trashy noir, but ends up mostly garbage. A trailer park family (Emile Hirsch, Gina Gershon, Thomas Haden Church) conspires to kill their estranged matriarch for her money and hire a pro (Matthew McConaughey) to do the job. Turns out he's real twisted and when things inevitably go awry, he twists even more. There are two problems: the script isn't smart or sassy enough for the genre and most of the cast isn't believable. The exception is McConaughey, who's savoring every bit of scenery in that mobile home. The assured hand of director William Friedkin keeps the film competently watchable, but the script gets in the way.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

TomBeltran

May 27, 2013

Posted on 5/19/13 09:42 AM
Altogether ill say this is a trashy film the straw that broke this camel back was the drum stick.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Broyax

May 28, 2023

Serait-ce simplement de la provocation gratuite avec ses relents nauséabonds et putassiers ? ou juste un film en quête d’attention (désespérée)… je ne sais pas trop. En l’état, c’est surtout un film poubelle sorti d’une benne à ordures.

Un film malsain et dégueulasse. Friedkin a visiblementSerait-ce simplement de la provocation gratuite avec ses relents nauséabonds et putassiers ? ou juste un film en quête d’attention (désespérée)… je ne sais pas trop. En l’état, c’est surtout un film poubelle sorti d’une benne à ordures.

Un film malsain et dégueulasse. Friedkin a visiblement pété un plomb et ça ne lui réussit pas. On regarde jusqu’au bout quand même, pour voir jusqu’où il veut aller… et il y va ce con ! Et les acteurs se roulent dans la merde avec lui. Tout cela est affligeant et d’un mauvais goût terrifiant et exécrable. Un film lamentable et une daube totale !… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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