MOVIE REVIEW: THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER




7/10


Steven has everything a man could aspire to - he is a successful surgeon, is rich and he has a beautiful wife and two children. But when he strikes an odd friendship with the young son of one of his patients things quickly spin out of control, leading to terrifying results.

THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER is an eerie piece of cinema that is designed to shock, and when you think you get over it, it throws you off balance once more. 

It starts as a few awkward scenes between an older man and a young boy and, although their conversations seems quite innocent, it is easy to imagine the worst. Needless to say that where it’s all going will challenge expectations. 

Director Yorgos Lanthimos applies his signature style of dialogue, previously seen in his feature LOBSTER. It is intentionally detached and expressionless, but somehow it makes the viewer pay closer attention. The way the characters deliver their lines creates a dreamlike atmosphere, similar to the dark fairy tale world of The Brothers Grimm. 

All the performances are impeccable, but Nicole Kidman is a standout in the role of a pragmatic wife whose maternal instincts easily take a backseat when the circumstances require it. 

The movie gradually builds the atmosphere of subliminal terror until the gut-wrenching finale, which leaves you out of breath, but is ultimately satisfying. Some films project the light by visiting the darkest places. THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER is such a film.


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