The Killing of Two Lovers is a 2023 American thriller film directed by Lee Toland Krieger and written by Sarah Adina Smith. It stars Robin Wright, Ben Foster, Elisabeth Moss, James Norton, and Alicia Vikander.
The the killing of two lovers ending is the final scene in the movie. It was not revealed in the trailer, so it will be a surprise for most people when they watch the film.
The Killing of Two Lovers is a brutally independent thriller that has the potential to establish both its under-the-radar director, Robert Machoian, and its star, Clayne Crawford, as compelling forces (of the Lethal Weapon TV series). And by “relentlessly indie,” I mean that the picture was shot in a claustrophobically tiny aspect ratio, has uncompromisingly real performances, and features a soundtrack that includes sonically manipulated noises like brakes screeching, car doors slamming, and revolver triggers cocking. It’s all very unsettling, and it might be one of the best films of 2023 thus far.
What Should You Know About It Before You Watch It?
A dissatisfied and tired David holds a gun in the tragic opening scene of “The Killing of Two Lovers.” He’s torn between shooting Niki and shooting a guy sleeping next to her, who isn’t revealed to be her newest lover, Derek, until later in the film. David decides not to murder them, and the long shot that follows shows him running back to his vehicle, suggesting fear since we can’t see who may be pursuing him. The worry remains despite David’s failure to carry out the plan.
Machoian’s filmmaking skills shine through in this respect. Almost every frame has a stiff tangle of noises in the background, adding to David’s stressful and unpleasant situation while also showing the mundane routine of his everyday life. Even if the pace is slow, there is always the feeling that something is happening. David’s limit is getting closer.
Derek’s arrogance is shown in an unintentional encounter with David at the local convenience store, when he requests that David pour him coffee and add sugar to his cup since his hands are “too full.” Perhaps he starts accusing David of planning his murder. During a marriage dispute, he also shows himself to be an enraged loose cannon who brutally attacks David.
This is our take on the movie
Our hearts bleed for Machoian as he clings to David’s point of view — until his wicked impulses emerge, and he comes dangerously close to surrendering to them. We understand David’s pain, longing, and shattered self-esteem, but not his rage, at least not to the point of pointing a gun at his sleeping wife. We know him on his worst day, but none of the other characters do; the film tests our capacity to forgive and tosses about with the story’s ethical mechanics.
That’s a situational absurdity that gnaws at our emotions the whole film. David’s dark side is a story ulcer that hasn’t been treated. Because of its complexity, The Killing of Two Lovers is a sorrowful tragedy rather than a cold and harsh drama. The performances are always outstanding and truthful to the underlying realities of beleaguered families. Everything we see is correct; only the audio, with its jarring and exaggerated horror tones, seems off.
Where can I see the film?
For the time being, The Killing Of Two Lovers is available to watch on Hulu Plus.
