MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Director: Antonio Campos
FilmPulse Score: 6/10
Antonio Campos’ follow-up to his critically-revered debut Afterschool (which marked the screen debut of Ezra Miller), comes in the form of another character study. Again focusing on the subject of detachment, although in Afterschool it was an unhealthy predilection of the internet and violence, Simon Killer focuses on an emotional and moral detachment brought on by numerous behavioral anomalies. Simon Killer also features an atypical script co-written (with Campos) by the film’s two leads, Brady Corbet (Martha Marcy May Marlene) and Mati Diop (35 Shots of Rum) while perfectly paired with calculatingly oppressive camerawork. The most enjoyable part of Simon Killer is trying to diagnose Simon’s psychological condition throughout the film’s duration.
Simon Killer follows Simon, a recent American college grad in Paris trying to find himself after a seemingly devastating break-up. He stays with a cousin (of sorts) that is, until he happens upon a sex club where he meets Victoria (Diop). He then becomes presumptively infatuated with Victoria and after being attacked by some youngsters on the street while trying to return to the States, he uses his latest misfortune to his advantage; acting the victim and playing on Victoria sympathy he ends up spending the night at her place. Once Simon has himself firmly established in Victoria’s apartment, he begins to manipulate her into a series of questionable actions with disastrous results.
While diagnosing Simon (Corbet), one realizes the complex specimen he is in the realm of behavioral science. Once you think you have Simon pegged (HA!), he unveils another aspect of his condition, making you rethink your prior diagnosis. Simon is at once a pathological liar (if not, at least a deliberate one), a sociopath, or he might even be schizophrenic. Simon, himself, talks of his work in the arena of peripheral vision crowding which is actually hampered in schizophrenics; even though the whole idea of his thesis on the subject might be a lie, it’s not much of a stretch for him to become aware of the studies through his understanding of his own condition. Simon is numerous things, but above all he is an opportunist. He knows exactly how to manipulate people and Corbet is deft when it comes to effectively communicating the complexities of Simon’s mental circumstances.
The main difficulty I had with Simon Killer is the title; I couldn’t help but think that the viewing experience would have been greatly enhanced had I not known that there was something amiss with the main character. The title Simon Killer immediately infers that Simon has some sort-of disorder or at least a propensity for violent behavior, which renders the film definitely predictable. Before even viewing the film, the viewer can decipher the film’s climax without seeing the beginning or middle. With that being said, the beginning and middle portions need to be, in a sense, outstanding and they never elevated above anything more than serviceable.
Campos does, however, refrain from using the curious framing techniques apparent in his feature-length debut Afterschool. He, instead, opts for perfectly-suited, slow, thoughtful zooms driving home the dramatic realizations of the various characters and the actions they have committed – all except for Simon…he feels nothing. Which proved to be a nice touch, showing that Campos is, if anything, maturing in his directorial prowess. Slowly inching his way towards producing a film of remarkable quality, which should happen sooner rather than later. However, the main factors one should take away from Simon Killer are the performances of the Brady Corbet and Mati Diop. Corbet shows himself more than capable of anchoring a film, exhibiting a keen ability in portraying an emotional complex individual; while I wouldn’t be surprised if Diop doesn’t end up in numerous films in the coming years after her skilled performance of a manipulated and abused woman trying to make a better life for herself.
Be sure to check out our recent interview with director Antonio Campos and writer/star Brady Corbet Here.
