Killers (2014)

Directors: Kimo Stamboel, Timo Tjahjanto

Writers: Kimo Stamboel, Timo Tjahjanto

Composer: Aria Prayogi

Starring: Rin Takanashi, Luna Maya, Kazuki Kitamura, Ray Sahetapy, Oka Antara, Epy Kusnandar, Mei Kurokawa, Tara Basro

More info: IMDb

Tagline: Inside every mind.

Plot: Mr. Nomura is an eerily handsome, sharply dressed, sociopathic serial killer who preys on the women of Tokyo. In Jakarta, a world-weary journalist named Bayu finds himself unexpectedly falling into vigilantism after brutally killing two sadistic robbers. When each posts videos of his violent sprees online, the pair find one another on the Internet and begin a toxic and competitive duel. While Bayu clings to the hope that he can resume a normal life, Nomura continues to spill blood without remorse. Killing, advises Nomura, is something everyone ought to consider.

My rating: 8/10

Will I watch it again? Yes.

Sundance Film Festival 2014

Sure, it's got guys who dig on killin' folks and, yeah, it's got some GREAT violence but it's not your standard serial killer/thriller fare.  An Indonesian, Japanese and American co-production, KILLERS takes you on a leisurely paced and unpleasant ride into the world of these two men who have a taste for killing; one, Nomura, is a seasoned pro and the other, Bayu, is just getting started.   It's fun to watch Nomura guide Bayu like a master and apprentice. Bayu eventually gives in to it but it's not long before he realizes that this isn't his bag but then it doesn't help that one of his victims is in the Mob and they're not going to take it lightly.  What follows is an uncomfortable chain of events for Bayu and the people he loves and Nomura taking a more hands-on approach with Bayu's life.  The finale is worth the two hour and seventeen minute running time.  It really feels like it, too, because this isn't an desperate, edge of your seat kind of horror/thriller.  There are things that need to be said before we can really get the full impact of the final act and boy, oh boy, is it a doosey.  It's got a little bit of dark humor but you wouldn't know it by the young jackass sitting behind me who laughed at inappropriate times.  KILLERS is stylish, smart and well-made from the top down.  Keep your eyes peeled for the scene where, in the background while two cops are talking, something's happening to the hooker in the trunk.  Loved it.