Killer Joe
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Metascore
62 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 38 Critics What's this?

User Score
6.5 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 73 Ratings

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  • Starring: Emile Hirsch, Gina Gershon, Juno Temple, Matthew McConaughey, Thomas Haden Church
  • Summary: When 22-year-old Chris finds himself in debt to a drug lord, he hires a hit man to dispatch his mother, whose $50,000 life insurance policy benefits his sister Dottie. Chris finds Joe Cooper, a creepy, crazy Dallas cop who moonlights as a contract killer. When Chris can't pay Joe upfront, Joe sets his sight on Dottie as collateral for the job. The contract killer and his hostage develop an unusual bond. Like from a modern-day, twisted fairy tale, "Killer Joe" Cooper becomes the prince to Dottie's Cinderella. (LD Entertainment) … Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 38
  3. Negative: 4 out of 38
  1. The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
    Reviewed by: Adam Nayman
    Aug 10, 2012
    100
    Credit goes to the actors (especially Gershon) for giving almost as good as they get in seriously demanding roles, and to Friedkin for having what it takes – guts, chops and a refreshing lack of artistic caution – to bring things thundering home.
  2. New Orleans Times-Picayune
    Reviewed by: Mike Scott
    Aug 24, 2012
    80
    An unflinchingly ugly -- but downright mesmerizing -- tale that plumbs the depths of human immorality and, along the way, offers a dash of subtle commentary on just how far we, as a 312 million-member nuclear family, might have lost our way.
  3. Empire
    Reviewed by: Ian Nathan
    Jul 18, 2012
    60
    Family dysfunction to make Jeremy Kyle blush, but thanks to McConaughey's oily power and Friedkin's unflinching purpose it's a compelling beast.
  4. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Mark Jenkins
    Aug 2, 2012
    38
    The action and dialogue find the same squalid level in time for the climactic scene, the cruel humiliation of a central character. That's when sensitive viewers should do what the bloody-minded Joe could never imagine: Walk away from the mess he has made.

See all 38 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 18
  3. Negative: 4 out of 18
  1. amboy
    9
    This is real film noir--not the private eye low key lighting kind but a real dip in the nasty stew of human greed and concupiscence. Hence, not for everyone. The actors are wonderful at revealing how naivete can turn amoral and good manners mask perversity and violence--and all regarded as part of the human comedy.. The cast is pitch perfect. A special cheer for McConaughey and for Gina Gershon and Emile Hirsch.… Expand
  2. MarcDoyle
    8
    It's by far the best B-movie, film noir, grindhouse-style film I've seen in a long time. It doesn't take itself too seriously, and it's funny as hell. McConaughey is terrific - it's almost an extension of his role on Magic Mike - an egotistical control freak. But Thomas Haden Church steals the show with his deadpan style of humor. Great fun.… Expand
  3. BKM
    7
    Perhaps the greatest quality of Killer Joe is that it never pretends to be anything more than a wickedly deranged and entertaining piece of trash. Freed from the obligation to make any sort of artistic statement, Friedkin delivers the goods and coaxes stellar performances from his cast; particularly McConaughey and Church. It's definitely not for everyone, but it never tries to be.… Expand
  4. certified_hater
    2
    If there is one good thing to come out of a vulgar for vulgarities sake film such as

See all 18 User Reviews

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