The Last Girl

So, I'm not a big fan of these straight-to-video productions. But I like Antonio Banderas (generally) so I watched the trailer. What was surprising is to see Alice Eve all covered up, which intrigued me. Of all the production I've seen Ms. Eve participate in, it's guaranteed that at some point she gets basically naked. This puts here firmly in the "sex kitten" bucket of actors, which means all the has to offer is basically her looks. A horrid example is Além da Escuridão: Star Trek (2013) where she plays an important Trek character and does it quite well - but then hey had to get her naked. It's total fan service and insulting to the audience.

So, here's Cult Killer where she plays a leading role and no where in the trailer - in which she is featured prominently - does she expose anything but her head. Interesting, me thinks, they're going to let her act.

And the girl can actually act.

Aside from an introductory bit of flamboyance in the opening scene - in which she uses her womanly wiles and ample cleavage to shill drinks from eager oglers - she keeps buttoned up and covered in black turtlenecks and overcoats the rest of the film.

What follows is a type of coming-of-age story and a redemption arc for Eve's character, where she works a serial murder case (as a private investigator to the police) and find she has all too much in common with the killer and "their" motives.

I recommend this film to give Ms. Eve her belated due. Here is a film that's "okay" and "it's been done," but to see Ms. Eve allowed to showcase her acting chops is a delight.

I wish her all the success in the world.

I started watching this for Antonio Banderas. With such a title as CULT KILLER I expected a riveting thriller with lots of suspenseful plot turns and thrilling attacks. NONE of that.

The bad; this movie just toddles along. Gently like a stream. Completely void of any real thrill or drama. Antonio Banderas has only got a supporting role, in which he is mumbling all sorts of jibberish to the leading actress ( a "determined" cop) who supposedly is THE person to solve a crime.

What we get to see is not terribly bad, it's not a B-movie for sure, but folks expecting a thriller or crime drama better pass this one by.

The movie just looks poorly made. Odd extras that perform below amateur level. Some simply look like they have never done any acting in their life.

Character actions feel rushed and quite unnatural. Like picking the lock like no one ever would, or doing covert operation like a bunch of students who are lost in the mall. As mentioned beforehand, many things are done on amateur level.

Movie also gave me a feeling that it tries to be Ozark, whether its a camera work, or a background theme. A tall tree to climb.

To be fair, Eve and Banderas do their best, but it is a mystery to me who convinced them to participate in this endeavor.

It's not horrible, but I wouldn't pay to see it.

I just does not work. You have solid actors which can definitely deliver and s script/story which seems ok adequate but the whole movie has the overall aesthetic of a lackluster filler episode from a bad television series.

The visuals, cinematography, and overall production design lack anything close to what I would expect in a film.

The character interactions are filmed so badly it feels like a documentary with people who really don't want to be there.

The most disheartening aspect is that I like all the main actors but felt that the film falls so short of its potential. The execution and overall presentation leave much to be desired.

The idea and concept of the movie are noteworthy, but the overall execution leaves a certain amount of disappointment.

The film strives to be tense and keep the viewer in constant suspense, but does not always achieve this due to uneven plotting and episodes that sometimes drag on.

Nevertheless, the film has some interesting moments and stylish visuals that give it a certain uniqueness.

The film does not lose its charm, although its realization could have been stronger.

Cult Killer is a movie worth watching if you are ready for an experimental approach and are not afraid of some flaws.

6/10.