"The Killer's Game" is an action-comedy film that had to go through a series of changes in development before eventually reaching post-production. Negotiated initially by Broad Green Pictures in 2015, the project changed hands a couple of times until STXfilms acquired it in 2018. The film was supposed to star Jason Statham but Statham left so Dave Baptista had to come in as the lead.
The story follows Joe Flood, a veteran hitman diagnosed with fatal diseases. Desperate to avoid such a painful death, Joe arranges for an assassin to kill him, but after placing the kill order, he finds out his diagnosis was a mistake, and he is healthy. However, the kill contract cannot be repealed now, and Joe becomes a target for other highly professional assassins, many of whom he taught himself. The plot follows Joe's fight for survival as he attempts to outrun his pursuers, reflecting on a life as a killer. Down the road, he finds out who set up the false diagnosis and uncovers a deeper conspiracy.
The film merges scenes of intense violence with humor while maintaining an over-the-top, comic book-like aesthetic. The storyline is not new, and it's predictable, but it's fun to watch because of the action sequences, visuals, and over-the-top characters.
The fight scenes, choreographed by J. J. Perry from a background in stunt coordination, are particularly praised for visceral impact and creativity. The movie has loud lighting and fun camera work, adding to the overall stylized view and blended sense of dark humor inside the action.
Perhaps the highlight of the movie is Dave Bautista as Joe Flood. So well-known for his stoic, humor-filled character, Bautista imbues vulnerability into the man, who is struggling to come to terms with his impending death while trying to protect a loved one, Maize, played by Sofia Boutella.
This chemistry adds emotion to the otherwise action-heavy plot. Ben Kingsley, who plays the role of mentor to Joe, manages to bring gravitas with wit in his scenes. Even when some characters, like Maize, enjoy relatively less screen time, their presence is of immense importance to the emotional core of the movie.
Despite the simplicity of its plot, "The Killer's Game" is a movie that reflects on mortality, love, and redemption. Joe is a lifelong hitman who reflects on his violent past and a chance at redemption through his relationship with Maize. Most of all, there are even religious undertones in the movie, most especially in the last act, where a priest becomes an ally to Joe.
On the whole, "The Killer's Game" is an entertaining, very mild action film that does not contain deep philosophical insights but does entertain its viewers by the blend of humor and conceptualized action with very powerful performances.
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