Written and directed by rising star Ben Wheatley (Down Terrace), it mixes dark comedy, domestic drama and full-blown horror as a pair of ageing hitmen, Jay (Neil Maskell) and Gal (Michael Smiley) gradually lose the plot while eliminating the three victims on their “kill list” (a priest, a pornographer and an MP).
In particular, it starts to mess up Jay, a family man who has come out of retirement because he needs the cash, and soon he is begging off the job.
It’s hard to believe the bumbling, ill-disciplined pair are professional killers but the mix of chuckles, violence and intrigue works well as you wonder just what exactly is going on: victims who appear to be grateful, characters carving strange symbols, mention of a disastrous previous job in Kiev.
Unfortunately, we don’t get any satisfactory answers. After a climax that manages to be both absurd and sick we are left to join the dots but not in a good way. Wheatley is clearly talented, however.
Verdict 3/5
(18, 95mins)
Director: Ben Wheatley
Stars: Neil Maskell, Michael Smiley