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Killer Joe Review

Movies.com Critics

4.5

Dave White Profile

Sick Sad World: The Movie Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 4.0
    62

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Generally favorable reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 0

    out of 100

    Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

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

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  • 50

    out of 100

    The New York Times Manohla Dargis

    Mr. Friedkin, a director with a talent for kinetic screen violence, never finds his groove with Killer Joe, which lurches from realism to corn-pone absurdism and exploitation-cinema surrealism.

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  • 50

    out of 100

    USA Today Claudia Puig

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

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  • 50

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

    Killer Joe throws down a dare by expecting its audience to be the cool connoisseurs of the story's "comic" outrageousness, then rubbing viewers' faces in close-up scenes of brutality that reasonable people ought not to be able to watch. That up-close experience, however effectively done, is a movie specialty that's its own kind of mean.

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  • 70

    out of 100

    Variety Justin Chang

    The family that slays together pays together in Killer Joe, a nasty little Texas noir that transfers Tracy Letts' 1993 play from page to screen with generally gripping results before devolving into an over-the-top splatterfest.

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  • 75

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    One hell of a movie. It left me speechless. I can't say I loved it. I can't say I hated it. It is expertly directed, flawlessly cast and written with merciless black humor by Tracy Letts.

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  • 80

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times Betsy Sharkey

    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.

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  • 80

    out of 100

    Time Richard Corliss

    McConaughey's fans might be shocked to see him in this role - more likely, they'd skip the opportunity - but they ought to give his performance a shot. The dimpled demon lover proves he can be just as seductive playing Texas's creepiest, craziest cop.

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  • 80

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter

    A likeably unpleasant slice of adults-only Texas noir, which aims at the funnybone as much as the jugular.

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  • 90

    out of 100

    Village Voice Nick Pinkerton

    A hideously funny tabloid noir.

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  • See all Killer Joe reviews at Metacritic.com

Fan Reviews provided by

1

Killer Joe by alohajill
The worst movie I have ever seen! And to rate it as a comedy? What a sick joke! Lost all respect for Matthew. Took my friend for his birthday thinking it would something to laugh at and we were all disgusted. We would have walked out but were were waiting for a funny part. I sit through all movies but if I had to do go through that again I would definitely walk out. Wish I could get my money back!

4

Good tragicomedy! by Pattyquin
It has a very sadistic humor, you don't know if you should close your eyes on those shocking scenes or laugh until death at the same moment. But at the end, I really liked it!

4

GOOD MOVIE-lOUSY ENDING by BCR123
loved the movie until the last scene. Another example of a director outhinking himself. He must have consulted with Oliver Stone (see Savages) and they both agreed to create the worst ending to a movie ever so they could mutually ruin their latest shows. The ending almost ruined the whole show because it was such a let down. Stop outthinking yourselves Hollywood. Dont need these ridiculous endings to very good movies. See Pulp Fiction if you dont understand how to end a movie. The end of that movie fit in perfectly with the entire show. Would have been a must go if not for the crappy ending.

5

WARNING: Not for everyone and adults only by calcutta
This movie is like watching a super cell (storm) bearing down on a rustic collection of inhabited rural huts. No matter how unspeakable the outcome is bound to be, one knows from the opening scenes that the worst may quite possibly be creppier than one might imagine. Some might call this pornography of the usual variety but by dint of violence surely. However, the story arc is served by the pure evil depicted and is necessary to set up the blackest humor ever filmed and exhibited on a public movie screen. Above all, even though the urbane, affluent Upper West Side audience in New York seemed uncertain whether to laugh, that question was soon resolved with hoots and gales of unbridled belly guffawing; applause at the end. Guilty? Yes. Avoidable? No. NOT for the faint of heart or easily offended. The leads are perfect. The directing by a name brand? Flawless. Top notch writing. One last warning, if you like linear storytelling with a calming resolution, this is not for you.

1

Killer Joe should be killed by kim1040
This was absolutely the worst movie I have seen in a long time. The description left out foul language, nudity, crudity, pedophilia, domestic violence, violence......Total waste of money and time.

5

Texas sized fun by kimo72
Just saw this movie, Mathew reminded me of his role in Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3 and even had a line about wearing a face. I would have loved to see this on the stage, the movie worked well for me, but to have these people breathing in the same room would have added to the intensity. Not all characters are created equal in this film, Dootie steals every scene going up against Joe that is a mighty task. The 1st date has so much tension and tenderness that I felt like I was on a roller coaster. Maybe the ending is obvious, but who cares I wanted to get there, maybe not as quick, but yeah I wanted to be there. I lived in Texas and in a trailer park (not in Texas) and this really brought me home. I'll never look at a can of pumpkin pie filling the same way again. This is not a movie for everyone, I am glad it got a NC17 to scare away some prudes, The theater was quiet in some scenes and laughing their asses off in others. Possibly inappropriately, but then this movie is not appropriate.

5

best movie in a long time by tonyhasit
This movie is not for everyone but very funny and and accurate look at the state of certain humans. Too many stupid people in this world.

1

Hot afternoon, poor movie by Normcal
The worst movie ever. The theme, buried in the pile, was stupid, the scenes nonsensical. Go buy a Hustler if you want pictures. Thanks to the theater on Senior day as I only wasted 4.50.

1

Killer Joe by lorri6_01
Rented this movie and was totally disgusted in the first 60 seconds. Repulsive language and constant use of the Lord's name in vain in every sentence. Made us think twice about how desperate Matthew M. must be to play a role in this type of filth. This movie has nothing to do with comedy/drama and it's pathetic that it's advertised as that. Can't even comprehend any sane person enjoying this and if so, it's a sad day for our society. People need to not settle for Hollywood producing this stupidity thinking we will support it. Removed this from our DVD player within 2 minutes and regretted wasting the money.

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