Destroyer

Name: Destroyer
Genre: Action, Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Crime
Released: December 25, 2018
Duration: 121 min
Rating: 62
Cast: Beau Knapp, Bradley Whitford, Jade Pettyjohn, James Jordan, Natalia Cordova-Buckley

2018

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 44 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 78 Ratings

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5.7

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5.7	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 78 Ratings

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Destroyer

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Movie Details & Credits

Annapurna Pictures | Release Date: December 25, 2018 | R

Starring: Beau Knapp, Bradley Whitford, Jade Pettyjohn, James Jordan, Natalia Cordova-Buckley, Nicole Kidman, Scoot McNairy, Sebastian Stan, Shamier Anderson, Tatiana Maslany, Toby Huss, Toby Kebbell

Summary: Destroyer follows the moral and existential odyssey of LAPD detective Erin Bell who, as a young cop, was placed undercover with a gang in the California desert with tragic results. When the leader of that gang re-emerges many years later, she must work her way back through the remaining members and into her own history with them to finallyDestroyer follows the moral and existential odyssey of LAPD detective Erin Bell who, as a young cop, was placed undercover with a gang in the California desert with tragic results. When the leader of that gang re-emerges many years later, she must work her way back through the remaining members and into her own history with them to finally reckon with the demons that destroyed her past. [Annapurna]
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Director: Karyn Kusama

Genre(s): Action, Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 121 min

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Critic Reviews

Bryan Bishop

Oct 8, 2018

It’s a strong film, directed with confidence and a trust that the audience will be able to keep up, no matter how convoluted the narrative becomes. Read full review

Tiffany Tchobanian

Jan 4, 2019

Destroyer is a good film, but it is Kidman’s nuanced performance that takes it to the next level. Read full review

Gary Thompson

Jan 10, 2019

The story circles cleverly back on itself, putting an original spin on the familiar tale of the burned-out investigator reckoning with the defining event in a checkered career. Read full review

Bilge Ebiri

Dec 20, 2018

Kidman’s performance as this broken, obsessed woman is powerful. Breathless, rasping through her teeth, she conveys both vulnerability and intractability. She seems like she could drop dead at any second, and yet, we also sense that we’re watching someone who has already had to endure the worst life has to give her. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

Dec 24, 2018

Destroyer is simultaneously impressive and stand-offish. Persuasively directed by Kusama and convincingly acted by Kidman and expert costars like Toby Kebbell and Sebastian Stan though it is, its determination to live exclusively at the darkest end of the street pays disagreeable dividends. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Feb 3, 2019

It’s a star vehicle, awards bait and a showcase thriller that barely holds your interest as you wait through the whispers and “She looks TERRIBLE” closeups for something exciting or moving to happen. Read full review

Keith Uhlich

Dec 17, 2018

The filmmakers treat their material sternly and humorlessly, as if there's some great moral lesson to be imparted from Erin's inexhaustible blotto jerkiness. Read full review

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User Reviews

DawdlingPoet

Nov 20, 2021

This is a really quite edgy, gritty and raw type thriller film, with Nicole Kidman giving a strong performance in the main lead, as a very determined officer, willing to do whatever it takes to ger her target. It has the feel of a somewhat underground film, not so much that its a b-movie inThis is a really quite edgy, gritty and raw type thriller film, with Nicole Kidman giving a strong performance in the main lead, as a very determined officer, willing to do whatever it takes to ger her target. It has the feel of a somewhat underground film, not so much that its a b-movie in tone but more in terms of the plot details, the dark tone of it I suppose. Its not entirely a film with lots of glitz and glamour, of course. I felt Kidman was very convincing in this film and it felt quite engrosing, although the somewhat shaky camerawork at times did put me off a little. Its relatively absorbing and intriguing, plot wise, with the viewer slowly learning more about Erin Bells background as the film continues.

The incidental music played, mostly edgy stringed instrument type music (like that used in Hitchcock films), is relatively good at adding to the general sense of uncertainty and the doubt of who will be the first to blink, if you know what I mean, although it is perhaps a little loud now and again. In that sense, its quite intriguing, even 'mean and moody'. I suppose Kidmans character is someone that many parents and police officers may/can relate to, to one extent or another. Its a relatively fast paced (if in short bursts) and frantic watch, raw and well characterised film which I'd recommend.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

mohamad91hk

May 9, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Nice movie and amazing performance by Nicole Kidman, i think she deserves an Oscar nomination at least in her role in ''Destroyer''.

Her acting and her zombie makeup make you truly feel how is she suffering from her past, she lives deeply into her role to give us that amazing performance.

The writers used flashback and flash forward style in the movie, which was nice and give the audience more suspense during the movie. Also the shifting between these two timeline was perfect and smooth which make you comfort and not confused in the movie, so you can figure out easily what's going on.

The only thing that i didn't feel it in the movie is the undercover operation. honestly i think no need for undercover operation!!! i didn't feel there was a really dangerous gang, they look like a normal people. i think they had to show more about how this gang is dangerous and how the infiltration is difficult.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

LamontRaymond

Jan 5, 2019

I've never seen a movie where the final 6 minutes (less the last shot) were the absolute BEST part of the movie. It's got major pacing issues - it's too slow throughout. You want to shake the director and editor and say, "let's get a move on!" But when it comes together at the very end,I've never seen a movie where the final 6 minutes (less the last shot) were the absolute BEST part of the movie. It's got major pacing issues - it's too slow throughout. You want to shake the director and editor and say, "let's get a move on!" But when it comes together at the very end, it sort of makes it all worth it.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

QjD

Apr 27, 2019

This story takes place in LA, a veteran homicide detective played by Nicole Kidman tries to rectify some wrongs of her past. There's a lot of flashback moments within this film so pay close attention to everything that's happening, if you don't you may become lost, there are a lot of dullThis story takes place in LA, a veteran homicide detective played by Nicole Kidman tries to rectify some wrongs of her past. There's a lot of flashback moments within this film so pay close attention to everything that's happening, if you don't you may become lost, there are a lot of dull moments in this film. The director was attentive in this movie when it comes to the cops and how they act as if they went through police training for their role. Good plot, ok storyline.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

netflic

Feb 4, 2019

I greatly respect Nicole Kidman as an actress and got used to high quality of movies she is starring in. That was the reason for me to go and see "Destroyer", a crime drama.

Kidman plays LAPD detective with dark past, tired and nearly destroyed, emotionally and physically. There are twoI greatly respect Nicole Kidman as an actress and got used to high quality of movies she is starring in. That was the reason for me to go and see "Destroyer", a crime drama.

Kidman plays LAPD detective with dark past,
tired and nearly destroyed, emotionally and physically.

There are two timelines with 17 years in between, and the movie jumps back and forth showing young detective Erin allowing a gang she infiltrated into to rob a bank. That robbery, going bad, destroyed all her life that followed.

Kidman is a great actress, and plays well but I do not think that role of a bad cop was a good match for her. Besides, the movie was so long and not impressive otherwise that it was not worth it going to theater to watch this film.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Compi24

Apr 9, 2020

Impossible to critique without mentioning everything it did right, "Destroyer" -- at the very least -- marks another visually stunning notch in the belt for director Karyn Kusama, and further displays the impressive dramatic talents within Nicole Kidman. Outside these two components, though,Impossible to critique without mentioning everything it did right, "Destroyer" -- at the very least -- marks another visually stunning notch in the belt for director Karyn Kusama, and further displays the impressive dramatic talents within Nicole Kidman. Outside these two components, though, there's much to be desired. The narrative fluctuates in terms of complexity, ultimately trying one final flourish in the third act that it doesn't quite stick the landing on. It doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the actual events on paper being uninteresting or anything. It's more of a presentational thing. A bit too pretentious and "trying too hard" at times. Kidman's great and her hair and makeup are quite convincing. The hair and makeup on every other character can vary from "alright" to "nice try," however. There are also a few scenes and images where, again, the movie's artistic appearance seems to ignore what the audience is/isn't going to think is dumb. Or maybe the filmmakers just don't know. It's not a particularly bad cop drama/thriller, but considering how good it looks overall and how terrific a lead performance we got, I really think I should have felt more than the emptiness I'm feeling now.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Dlrlm

Jul 19, 2019

This movie sucked. Gabe me the feeling she was just chasing an oscar by not wearing any makeup. Like that Charlize Theron movie about that serial killer. Except that one was good.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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