Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: August 26, 1994
6.9
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Generally favorable reviews based on 195 Ratings
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134
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31
Negative:
30
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8
NotAmericanJun 15, 2017
Perhaps my favorite Oliver Stone movie. Pushed into the world of two killers, the ugly world around them is exposed. Brilliant critique of modern society, media and even the concept of normalcy.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
horrorboyJan 1, 2011
Natural Born Killers will be one of the toughest movies to watch, one of the toughest movies to think about, and one of the toughest movies to digest. Its involvement of Mickey and Mallory Knox (Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis,Natural Born Killers will be one of the toughest movies to watch, one of the toughest movies to think about, and one of the toughest movies to digest. Its involvement of Mickey and Mallory Knox (Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis, respectively) investing their time and their life on a cross country killing spree is completely and utterly iconic. As ironic as this idea sounds, their whole spree pertains to the media and the whole worldwide culture as in a way I have never seen in a film. That saying, the plot is basically the Knoxes on a killing spree throughout states in America. As straightforward as that sounds, it really isn't. After being followed continuously by a tabloid reporter named Wayne Gale (Robert Downey, Jr.) in hopes of receiving high rates for his tracking and reporting of the duo, the Knoxes eventually become superstars all in thanks to the media. During a few of their crimes portrayed on the screen, they tend to leave one person left alive in each of their sprees that reports to the media who really committed the crime. Throughout the film, Oliver Stone, the director, presents us to bizarre and strange scenes and images that signify how the Knoxes really came to be. An example of this is a 'Married...With Children' like-parody show named 'I Love Mallory' where it pictures Mallory's wretched life in the hands of her father who is sexually attracted to her, and her unusual mother. In scenes where her father makes a funny remark or touches her inappropriately there is a canned-laughter track in the background. It's a bizarre feeling but then again it presents Mallory's life through an outsider's eyes laughing at everything that's happening since it's not actually happening to them. These scenes, in my opinion, despite their rawness are actually beautiful in a way. Stone presents them in vivid colors and streams that exhibit fine art. A scene that really fascinated me is when Mallory and Mickey are together in a hotel room. They're embracing each other and there is a picture window facing the outside. Instead of seeing the night sky, we're shown to different pictures of Mickey's earlier life, and other random images that pertain to the scene as if they were projected off of a movie reel. Images and scenes like this help show the life that truly exists in Natural Born Killers, and not just what people see on the outside. What people really see on the outside though is the constant amount of violence that people expect to be in a movie dubbed 'Natural Born Killers'. What's so great about the violence is that it never really seems as bad as it really does. Stone makes us feel the need to imagine the violence to be extreme as it really is to leave more of a distinct nature in our minds instead of the constant spewing of gore and blood that many audience members expect to see, but are instead disappointed to witness something different entirely. While at times it does succeed to do that, the film never really focuses on the violence as much as it does with its characters. Mickey and Mallory Knox are completely insane, mad, blood driven, and all the synonyms that apply. They will literally kill anyone in their way as a simple man riding on a bike on the side of the road to innocent bystanders in a diner. They're completely scary and menacing, though they think that they personally aren't in many forms. They think that the true monsters are the rest of the majority, the ones that don't kill, such as the media and the liking. The great acting by Harrelson and Lewis is simply phenomenal. Their portrayal of 2 mass murderers is so spot on that they all just seem too real. At times during the film, we're able to see the crimes, etc. committed through the eyes of the Knoxes in a different approach. At times when they look at their victims, the screen is seen in black and white but when it goes back to facing the Knoxes the screen goes back to color. What I can think of this whole approach and aspect is that the Knoxes only see the world as black and white, the only colors that show their true lifestyle. Downey as the reporter, and Tommy Lee Jones as a prison warden are exceptionally great roles, both are hilarious at times and I caught myself off guard on several occasions laughing away at the dark comedic dialogue that each delivers. Natural Born Killers leaves an imprint in my mind, as I'm sure as it has done with so many others. It states in most parts that the actual killers aren't the worst part of the moral, it's actually the ones who present it, the ones in the media that help make the monsters who they really are, driving their bloodthirsty motives farther than ever. While not focusing on violence that seems overly abundant, Oliver Stone truly delivers a tour de force that delves into the deep dark roots of man. The roots that cause an impulse for us to kill whoever stand in our way at anytime. Really in some form or another, we are all Natural Born Killers. Expand
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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10
loven_lennieSep 2, 2010
** The love story between Mickey and Mallory that is folded into this movie is one of the strongest love stories that I have seen in a movie . . the bond between the two characters is absolutely amazing! Reguardless of what was going on in** The love story between Mickey and Mallory that is folded into this movie is one of the strongest love stories that I have seen in a movie . . the bond between the two characters is absolutely amazing! Reguardless of what was going on in their life together, they always made sure it was known (without question) how incredibly much they loved eachother. It is truly heartwarming to see such a strong bond, such a true love, portrayed on film!
** The satire that is done here about "America's Media" and the way we portray murderers like movie stars because of all the attention we give people that commit obscene crimes, (like Charles Manson), is done extremely well!! Oliver Stone did a remarkable job making all of that come alive on screen!!
** This movie got (and continues to get) bad reviews, and honestly . . I don't know why it has received anything less than "two thumbs WAY up"!! Oliver Stone and all of the actors that helped create this script and bring it to life on screen deserve a pat on the back at the very least . . it is an intense, in-your-face look at crime, America's Media, and true love. I admire everyone that made this movie a reality and gave me a different angle to look at certain things from.
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10
Anti-JarheadJul 31, 2012
Brilliantly done statement of our current stage of evolution. Some quotes;

[[[[[ Mister rabbit says that my only realization is worth a thousend prayers. ]]]]] [[[[[ From where you're standing you're a man, from where I'm
Brilliantly done statement of our current stage of evolution. Some quotes;

[[[[[ Mister rabbit says that my only realization is worth a thousend prayers. ]]]]]
[[[[[ From where you're standing you're a man, from where I'm standing you're ape.
You're not even ape, you're media person. Media is like a weather only it's man-made wheather.]]]]]

[[[[[It's just a murder man, all gods creatures do it in some form or another.
You look in the forest: you've got species killing other species, our species kills all the species including the forest and we call it industry, not murder.]]]]]

[[[[[Murder? it's pure. You're the one who made it impure. You're buying and selling fear.
You say: why? I say: why bother?]]]]]

[[[[[I've never hurt anyone in my whole life, I'm the law, okay? I'm protector...]]]]]

Follow protocol.

[[[[[Your druggist is your friend.]]]]

[[[[[-Can you help them?
-Maybe they don't want to be helped.]]]]]
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9
TheWalrus2000Mar 26, 2013
Natural Born Killers is written and directed like an all star and contains stunning performances from Woody Harrelson and Robert Downey Jr.(Juliette Lewis did good too). Oliver Stone gives an outrageously violent story and strong directionNatural Born Killers is written and directed like an all star and contains stunning performances from Woody Harrelson and Robert Downey Jr.(Juliette Lewis did good too). Oliver Stone gives an outrageously violent story and strong direction making it a near perfect film. However its dark tone is overexposed and at times uncomfortable making it inches from being on top 10 all-time lists. Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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10
P4inskillerOct 28, 2018
A simply f+++ masterpiece about a society full of lies and hyporcrisy. A detailed genius work and beautiful art. This movie shows very detailed what the modern society is and and creates: monsters produced by an inhuman society filled withA simply f+++ masterpiece about a society full of lies and hyporcrisy. A detailed genius work and beautiful art. This movie shows very detailed what the modern society is and and creates: monsters produced by an inhuman society filled with liers, pretenders, foolers and dumb people. Lambs under lions. Who are the killers? Who are the "real" killers?? Very great piece of art and an timeless masterpiece made by a great director. By far Oliver Stones best work! No E.T, no Walking Dead and no Terminator! This movie is toooo smart for the average people. It is just about the real world, where the demons always win. Expand
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10
BenJun 28, 2009
This is Oliver Stone doing what he does best. Hitting you in the face as hard as he can with an idea until it is a little bit muddled. But the film is so intriguing that it is hard to dislike. Plus there is some real intelligence here that This is Oliver Stone doing what he does best. Hitting you in the face as hard as he can with an idea until it is a little bit muddled. But the film is so intriguing that it is hard to dislike. Plus there is some real intelligence here that makes the film very rewatchable, probably due to the story written by tarentino (but credit should not be taken away from stone and the mesmerizing way that he shot the film). Pretty good acting from all the main cast also. I think this would have been a better film if it was directed by tarentino, but Stone does add a certain touch that, despite the movie's flaws, it is a personal favorite of mine. You should definitely give this movie a chance. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
AndrewW.Nov 6, 2007
Above average acting from Woody, Tommy, and Robert, and a decent performance from miss Lewis. Stone is, as always, just a little bit full of himself, but nevertheless he's made an interesting and fairly original creation.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
ryancarroll88Aug 26, 2010
This psychotic brainchild of Oliver Stone and Quentin Tarantino plays out like it was dragged out of the deepest, darkest pits of hell. And I feel like that's the biggest compliment I can give.
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7
FilmVirtueMar 12, 2014
Top notch directing, and 10 star acting meets together to form a film so powerful, so intense, and so violent that the film is one in a million. Oliver Stone is one brilliant director.
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10
aadityamudharApr 17, 2016
Above average acting from Woody, Tommy, and Robert, and a decent performance from miss Lewis. Stone is, as always, just a little bit full of himself, but nevertheless he's made an interesting and fairly original creation.
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7
BroyaxMay 27, 2019
Toujours prompt à dénoncer et polémiquer, à enfoncer le clou sur des sujets qui lui tiennent à coeur, Oliver Stone n'y va jamais avec le dos de la cuiller : ainsi va son "Tueurs nés" à la mise en scène quelque peu désordonnée et agitée,Toujours prompt à dénoncer et polémiquer, à enfoncer le clou sur des sujets qui lui tiennent à coeur, Oliver Stone n'y va jamais avec le dos de la cuiller : ainsi va son "Tueurs nés" à la mise en scène quelque peu désordonnée et agitée, multipliant les caméras à l'épaule et les filtres verts, rouges et du noir et blanc à intervalles plus ou moins irréguliers...

Notez cependant que ce n'est jamais aussi agité ou bordélique qu'un film d'action "moderne" des Greengrass, Liman, Bay ou autres tacherons du cinéma américain bassement mercantile et hautement imbécile : on a en effet ici une marge assez confortable...

En tout cas, sa dénonciation des médias, esclaves de l'audimat, tourne à plein régime tandis qu'il les conspue et les tourne en ridicule avec à-propos et une redoutable efficacité. Car Tueurs nés est indéniablement efficace et percutant sans jamais pour autant tomber dans le piège de la violence complaisante qu'il entend brocarder.

Il nous montre également cette fascination morbide et incompréhensible pour ces déchets de psychopathes d'une partie de la population lambda à la cervelle lessivée par la télévision. Une société américaine qui a perdu ses repères et s'est raccrochée à un darwinisme caricatural et grotesque pour tenter de justifier ses dérives.

Si Woody (Harrelson, pas l'abruti Allen, Dieu nous en garde !) se débrouille fort bien en psychopathe, Juliette en fait toujours trop, se faisant encore plus pétasse qu'elle n'est (au naturel) et nuit par là-même à la satire générale. A l'opposé, Tommy Lee Jones s'avère hilarant en directeur de prison, rageur et quasiment incontrôlable, qui se fait le porte-voix d'une justice sauvage... comme au bon vieux temps.

Même le flic est taré, en la personne de Tom Sizemore, sans doute parce qu'il a fréquenté un peu trop de psychopathes... mais personne n'est sain d'esprit dans ce film à dire vrai...

Un peu éparpillé dans son message (ou ses messages), le film de Stone est finalement aussi dingue que la société qu'il prétend dénoncer. Il rue dans les brancards et manque de rigueur... mais son impact est toujours aussi stupéfiant.
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