Simon Killer

Told almost as a modern-day version of the novel In a Lonely Place, Simon Killer places us with a young American man fresh upon arrival in Paris (or so he says). He is struggling with getting over his ex, and falls in love with a French prostitute, also with (literal) scars. As seen in the trailer (so no spoilers), the two devise a scheme to blackmail her clients for cash. This doesn't quite work out.The narrative, though, is secondary to the extraordinary and wholly disturbing vision that is presented to us. The sex scenes, while erotic, are almost joyless, with Simon's lovers' heads often out of the shot, giving us a view of Simon leering at their nude bodies, or forcing them to turn around and face the opposite way, further dehumanizing his sexual partners.The unique experience of this film is further developed through the contrast of highly cinematic, "fake"-feeling camera work with exceptionally neorealistic dialogue and acting. The very long shots feel as if we could be there watching live, but with the slight disconnect of a perfectly framed angle, or smooth turns bridging opposite characters or ends of the room.The focal point of the film, of course, is Simon himself, delivered in a fantastic performance by Brady Corbet (who you may recognize from Thirteen). He is nearly impossible to take your eyes off of, and gives a remarkably rich and believable portrayal of a womanizer, criminal, and yes, killer.Simon Killer is also extraordinary in how much it takes us by surprise - we rarely get films, either studio or independent, which places us with your everyday man who has the potential to kill. Recalling earlier events, I can now look back and see how we were given clues that Simon could be a criminal all along, but an audience is often unwilling to accept that our narrator, our door to this experience, is capable of such terrible acts. We share in his experience but don't want to bear the guilt of his actions. The film lets off a chilling conclusion and a sense of fluidity, that these events have likely happened before and will probably happen again.Simon Killer is a shining (?) dark spot in a year of film that was largely optimistic and happy-go-lucky. It offers a very fresh take on the traditional narrative and gives us an unforgettable cinematic experience.

This is a well-made and often audacious film. Its prickly willingness to make everything sordid and ugly -- while fleshing this out with exhilarating editing, music and camerawork -- carried me through several enthralling watches, along with Brady Corbet's uncanny performance. But, though I still can't stop watching Corbet work his rancid spell (no one is doing "sexy young creep" better right now), I have begun to see him and the film as rather self-indulgent and a bit flailingly pointless. It's sort of fin-de-siecle art fifteen years too late, it doesn't need the unwieldy meta-subject of how visual culture deludes and tricks the brain (duh), and it should be less in awe of the tawdry sex which it loves to be aghast at. In other words, Ulrich Seidl among others has given sharper and more challenging films about some of these same subjects. In other other words, it panders to a high-minded viewership who can take comfort in calling its desperate characters "sociopaths" when that's not really what they are at all -- just young, sad, lonely, down and out, and speaking two different languages ... er, three, counting the universal one. In other other other words, not being able to trust a film's good reviews has become for me an indication not to fully trust a film. But I wouldn't bet against myself watching it several more times over the next few months. It's just that kind of spicy noodle -- empty calories maybe, but tasty as all get out.

First off I haven't done any research on the movie, but this was my take. At first Simon seems like a legitimate younger guy from New York who travels to Paris to help himself work through a break up. You actually feel for the guy because he seems young, inexperienced and lost. However, about halfway through the film you start to become suspicious of the young innocent-seeming guy. You start to question what he's really doing in Paris and therefore everything he has claimed. The film climax occurs when Simon, completely out of character, violently attacks his new prostitute girlfriend. Then the reality of Simon hits you like a hammer, which is the film's best gift. The question is: is Simon going to become a psychopathic killer? They portray him having many of the issues that are associated with serial killers which are sexual deviances combined with his "mommy issues." Great film and good soundtrack, yet I had to give it a 4 star because I would've liked to see some more character development. We just had so little to go on.

I thought it was well acted and there was some decent acting in the film.

Antonio Campos' second directorial film explores privilege and a lack of decency and respect in this tale of a young man fresh out of college and a torn relationship who is looking to recover and retool in Paris. The American Simon hopes to find himself and cleanse abroad but brings his dirt with him tragically.

Really good movie. Not too much of a point to it but I enjoyed watching it.

This Mama's Boy Sociopath is truly pathetic. But entertaining to watch and study from nonetheless. A very good cross between drama, horror, and the psychological. I would recommend to the right viewer.

Story of a young man who is a totally amoral bastard. But he's a mamas boy which doesn't fit the type. FrenchSenegalese director Mati Diop in a major acting role is a real find. She added a couple of stars to my rating,

For those that kneel at the altar of indie film making Simon Killer is a movie you will want to see...edgy,noir like subject,desperate,flawed[though of course cool]characters,explicit and the obligatory relevant soundtrack.Bought to us by Borderline Productions a collective that consists of Antonio Campos[whose work this is],Josh Mond and Sean Durkin[Martha Marcy May and the recent Southcliffe]Simon Killer is an awesome movie that certainly ticks my boxes.I really like the idea of artists forming a group,all very 70's indeed and I will no doubt be watching everything these dudes bring out.Brady Corbet is brilliant in the movie conveying both charisma and the completely sociopathic tendencies of his character,Simon Killer is first and foremost a character study rather then a slice them up,keep the bodies in a basement romp.Corbet is an actor I have seen before in Funny Games and Mysterious Skin,always captivating,unpredictable and willing to go the full mile.He has a very idiosyncratic style and is definetly one of my favourite American actors.Mati Diop who plays Victoria is equally powerful and dude that girl has a nice figure.Top to bottom it's great.I like the role modern technology from phones to laptops plays in the movie,ninety nine percent of the time I see a mobile in a movie it has stopped receiving reception,a mere narrative ploy to explain why a damsel in distress locked in a house with a salivating axe wielding nutcase doesn't just call the police.The movie constantly leaves you wanting to see more,learn more and know more.Clever,compelling stuff.There is a few extras that whilst I very much wanted to watch kind of ruined the affect the movie had on me.There is an interview in particular with Campos with what I imagine is a highly pretentious film school student who though no doubt makes good points it all gets a bit of a chin stroke to me.I like instinctiveness and mystery to the work,i like the fact for example David Lynch just kind of hands his work over to an audience.But Simon Killer is a compelling,hypnotic work beautifully shot,written and directed.Easily one of my favourites this year,in fact last 5 years.Great stuff.