The Killing of a Sacred Deer [DVD] [2017]

Iconoclastic Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos has followed up last year’s dark comic gem, “The Lobster”, with another audacious film that bears his twisted mark on every frame: “The Killing of a Sacred Deer”, its title drawn from a line in the Greek play, Iphigenia at Aulis by Euripides. Its story begins rather conventionally before veering off into the bizarre: A skilled cardiac surgeon seemingly befriends a strange teenage boy and introduces him to his family. The boy named Martin seems to have some form of a neurological disorder, and gradually we discover his connection to the surgeon and the threat he brings to the entire family. Colin Farrell plays the surgeon, Nicole Kidman his wife, but it is Barry Keoghan who takes center stage to the drama, playing the intruding boy with a perceptible mental unbalance that grows more sinister as the film goes on. Relying more on the tenants of psychological horror than the societal satire and the Kafkaesque fable of “The Lobster”, “The Killing of a Sacred Deer” is a masterpiece of the absurd, its every frame showing the influence of Stanley Kubrick at his most pristine with its pure cold visuals and precise razor-sharp cutting. It won best screenplay at Cannes, but it is Lanthimos’ perfect compositions and subdued anger that reaches out of the screen and shakes the viewers’ sensibilities that defines it. Disturbing on different levels and perhaps inevitably unpleasant to some, it is a film that will rivet you to your seat until its provocative conclusion, one that could have you thinking about it for days after.

Iconoclastic Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos has followed up last year’s dark comic gem, “The Lobster”, with another audacious film that bears his twisted mark on every frame: “The Killing of a Sacred Deer”, its title drawn from a line in the Greek play, Iphigenia at Aulis by Euripides. Its story begins rather conventionally before veering off into the bizarre: A skilled cardiac surgeon seemingly befriends a strange teenage boy and introduces him to his family. The boy named Martin seems to have some form of a neurological disorder, and gradually we discover his connection to the surgeon and the threat he brings to the entire family. Colin Farrell plays the surgeon, Nicole Kidman his wife, but it is Barry Keoghan who takes center stage to the drama, playing the intruding boy with a perceptible mental unbalance that grows more sinister as the film goes on. Relying more on the tenants of psychological horror than the societal satire and the Kafkaesque fable of “The Lobster”, “The Killing of a Sacred Deer” is a masterpiece of the absurd, its every frame showing the influence of Stanley Kubrick at his most pristine with its pure cold visuals and precise razor-sharp cutting. It won best screenplay at Cannes, but it is Lanthimos’ perfect compositions and subdued anger that reaches out of the screen and shakes the viewers’ sensibilities that defines it. Disturbing on different levels and perhaps inevitably unpleasant to some, it is a film that will rivet you to your seat until its provocative conclusion, one that could have you thinking about it for days after.

The Killing of a Sacred Deer is a bizarre film that give its audience a unique experience. Definitely one of A24’s more art based films, it’s a film that keeps it’s audience wondering about the mystery in it. Even after finishing, a discussion can go on for hours about its meaning. Certainly a beautiful film. It’s worth watching to see the strange story told.

I will warn people that this movie isn’t for everybody. It’s odd and slow placed, but that’s a classic A24 movie. They are very good movies though and this is one of them. The perform were great. I loved the cinematography. The odd atmosphere is a mix between other A24 movies like The VVitch and The Lobster. If you like good independent horror movies, this is the movie for you.

Watching this film made me Upset, emotional, scared & just over all traumatized. I say that as a compliment. I didn’t have high expectations for this film first walking into it but then viewing it my expectations were shattered. It’s such a masterpiece and very well crafted. The cast did such a great job and the score is just amazing. Has the horror vibe to it. I wish people will purchase this film and experience it for themselves. This film was so stunning from start to finish.

A little slow at times but the climax was definitely unexpected!!!

Its story begins rather conventionally before veering off into the bizarre: A skilled cardiac surgeon seemingly befriends a strange teenage boy and introduces him to his family.

If you enjoyed The Lobster than you will enjoy this movie because of Lathimos' direction. For those not aware of his work, this might not be for you.