The Killer: Storytelling Through Sound
74David Fincher’s The Killer is a masterclass in filmmaking, particularly through its sound design, which does much to distinguish itself from modern mainstream movies. In this video essay, I discuss how The Killer’s sound design aids in its storytelling, allowing it to communicate information in a unique, gripping manner. I’ll also briefly touch on what makes this movie so competent and effective on a technical level.
#davidfincher #thekiller #videoessay
Chapters:
00:00 The Killer’s Weird Sound
00:37 Why Does It Sound Like That?
04:26 Recontextualizing Voice Over
06:33 Mixing Sound & Cinematography
08:53 A Technical Masterpiece, but…
10:07 Conclusion & Thank You
The review I mentioned (it’s pretty great!):
The Killer: Fincher Makes Fun of Himself? (Review)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUtMJbCFrAw
Really cool behind the scenes stuff:
David Fincher on Directing The Killer | Behind the Scenes | Netflix
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyI5_ghkcoI
Ren Klyce and David Fincher on The Sound of The Killer | Behind The Scenes | Netflix
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0Dmh6d9d0Q
Kirk Baxter on Editing The Killer with David Fincher | Behind The Scenes | Netflix
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pc0kCye_9m0
'The Killer' Cinematographer Breaks Down the Methodical Opening Scene of Fincher's Netflix Thriller
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hN8RksT8jUg
David Fincher and The Killer Crew Break Down The Brute vs The Killer Fight Scene | Netflix
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yF5rtOmUtc
The Killer is a 2023 American action thriller film directed by David Fincher from a screenplay by Andrew Kevin Walker. It is based on the French graphic novel series The Killer written by Alexis "Matz" Nolent and illustrated by Luc Jacamon. The film stars Michael Fassbender alongside Arliss Howard, Charles Parnell, Kerry O'Malley, Sala Baker, Sophie Charlotte, and Tilda Swinton in supporting roles. Fassbender plays an assassin who embarks on an international vendetta after a hit goes wrong.
Development on the graphic novel adaptation began in 2007 at Paramount Pictures and Plan B Entertainment, with Fincher signed on as director and Alessandro Camon as screenwriter. In 2021, Fincher later moved the project over to Netflix with Andrew Kevin Walker replacing Camon as writer.
The Killer premiered at the 80th Venice International Film Festival on September 3, 2023. It received a limited theatrical release on October 27, 2023; it began streaming on Netflix on November 10, 2023. The film received positive reviews from critics.
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