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The Killer's Game (2024) by J.J. Perry: A Hitman's Hilarious and Gory Redemption

  • Writer: dailyentertainment95
    dailyentertainment95
  • Jul 28
  • 8 min read

Short Summary: Contract on Himself, Chaos Ensues In J.J. Perry's action-comedy The Killer's Game, a top hitman, Joe Flood (Dave Bautista), is diagnosed with a terminal illness and decides to take out a contract on himself to avoid a painful end and ensure his ex-girlfriend's financial future. However, a misdiagnosis means he's now perfectly healthy, but a legion of his former colleagues are hot on his trail. When these assassins also target his ex-girlfriend, Joe must fight for survival, protect the woman he loves, and perhaps, win her back, all while navigating a ridiculous and ultra-violent gauntlet of professional killers.

Detailed Summary: An Accidental Immersion into Brittany's Myths

  • The Killer's Game introduces Joe Flood (Dave Bautista), a seasoned hitman who, upon receiving a terminal illness diagnosis, makes the drastic decision to hire fellow assassins to kill him. His intention is to go out on his own terms and leave his ex-girlfriend, Maize (Sofia Boutella), with a substantial life insurance payout.

  • However, a bizarre twist of fate reveals he was misdiagnosed and is perfectly healthy.

  • Now, Joe finds himself in an unprecedented predicament: he's the target of the very hitmen he hired, and they're not just after him; they've also set their sights on Maize.

  • The film unfolds as Joe must use all his formidable skills to fend off an "army of assassin colleagues" – a colorful and eccentric group of killers – in a high-stakes, action-packed battle.

  • Amidst the escalating violence and darkly comedic scenarios, Joe's ultimate goal becomes not just survival, but also protecting Maize and winning back her love, creating a unique blend of action, comedy, and unexpected romance. The story is an adaptation of Jay Bonansinga's 1997 novel.

Plot Summary: Misdiagnosis, Mayhem, and a Mission for Love

  • A Terminal Diagnosis and a Desperate Plan: Joe Flood, an elite hitman, is diagnosed with a terminal illness. To avoid a prolonged, painful death and to secure a life insurance payout for his ex-girlfriend, Maize, he puts a high-value contract out on himself.

  • The Shocking Misdiagnosis: Shortly after authorizing the hit, Joe discovers he was misdiagnosed and is, in fact, perfectly healthy.

  • The Hunter Becomes the Hunted: The problem: the contract is already out, and an array of eccentric and deadly assassins, his former colleagues, are now pursuing him.

  • Maize Becomes a Target: Complicating matters further, the assassins learn about Maize and begin to target her, forcing Joe into a desperate fight to protect her.

  • A Fight for Survival and Redemption: Joe must now fend off a relentless onslaught of highly skilled killers, all while trying to reconcile with Maize and win back her affection amidst the chaos.

Director's Vision: Stunt-Driven Action with B-Movie Flair and Heart

  • Stunt Coordinator's Eye: J.J. Perry, a veteran stunt coordinator making his sophomore feature as director, brings a deep understanding of practical action and fight choreography to the film. He emphasizes real stunts and practical effects over excessive CGI, a signature influenced by his work on films like John Wick.

  • B-Movie Aesthetic: Perry embraces a "B-movie aesthetic," aiming for an enjoyable, undemanding action experience that doesn't take itself too seriously. He knows what he wants from the action sequences – clean, crisp, and chaotic – and prioritizes visual dynamism.

  • Balancing Tones: A key part of Perry's vision was to balance the intense action and gore with elements of romantic comedy, giving Dave Bautista a chance to showcase his comedic timing and emotional depth. He aimed to make sure the "romantic comedy correct, where there's stakes, and you care about the people," while the action remained his forte.

  • Collaborative Choreography: Perry's background involves extensive pre-production "stunt-vis" where he collaborates with his team and other departments (wardrobe, makeup, production design) to meticulously plan action sequences, ensuring they integrate seamlessly with the set and story.

  • Improvisational Approach: He also encourages a degree of improvisation from his actors within the structured action, learning from directors he admires like Ang Lee and Paul Feig.

  • Resilience and Long Journey: The film's production was a "10-year journey" for Perry, having been attached in various capacities (stunt coordinator, second unit director) before finally taking the directorial reins. He shot the movie in 42 days, even during a SAG strike, which he credits for helping secure the notable cast.

Themes: Second Chances, Unconventional Love, and The Consequences of One's Past

  • Second Chances: Joe Flood's misdiagnosis grants him an unexpected second chance at life, but ironically, it comes with a deadly price, forcing him to fight for the very existence he almost willingly ended. This also extends to his relationship with Maize, offering a second chance at love.

  • Consequences of a Violent Past: The film directly explores the ramifications of Joe's profession, as his former colleagues become his most dangerous adversaries, a direct consequence of the "game" he has played for so long.

  • Unconventional Romance: At its heart, the film features an unlikely romantic pairing between a hardened hitman and a ballet dancer, exploring how love can blossom in the most absurd and dangerous circumstances.

  • Redemption: While fighting for his life, Joe also fights for redemption, aiming to protect Maize and prove his love, attempting to escape the cycle of violence.

  • Dark Comedy and Absurdity: A strong underlying theme is the dark humor found in extreme situations, as the film leans into the absurdity of a hitman being targeted by his own kind.

Key Success Factors: Dave Bautista's Charisma, High-Octane Action, and Genre Blend

  • Dave Bautista's Star Power: Dave Bautista delivers an earnest and charismatic leading performance, effectively blending the character's tough exterior with a surprising tenderness, anchoring the film's action and romantic elements.

  • Visceral Action Choreography: J.J. Perry's expertise as a stunt coordinator shines through in the film's "clean and crisp" action sequences, which are largely practical and visually impressive, appealing to fans of hard-hitting fight scenes.

  • Unique Genre Mashup: The film successfully combines action, comedy, and romance, offering a fresh take on the hitman genre by infusing it with humor and a genuine emotional core.

  • Strong Supporting Cast: The presence of seasoned actors like Ben Kingsley, Sofia Boutella, Terry Crews, and Pom Klementieff elevates the material and adds depth to the colorful ensemble of assassins.

  • High Production Value for Budget: Despite a reported budget of $30 million, critics note the film "looks like $130 million," indicating effective use of resources to create a visually impactful film.

Awards & Nominations: Taurus World Stunt Awards Recognition

While "The Killer's Game" has not received any major industry film awards, it has been recognized for its outstanding stunt work at the Taurus World Stunt Awards in 2025.

  • Taurus World Stunt Awards 2025:

    • Winner: Taurus Award for Hardest Hit (Harry Makanga, for a stunt where a man gets hit by a car).

    • Nominee: Taurus Award for Best Stunt Coordinator and/or 2nd Unit Director (Domonkos Párdányi, Justin Yu, Troy Robinson).

    • Nominee: Taurus Award for Best Speciality Stunt (Jack Field, Joey van Rijthoven, Adrian Guggemos, Rob de Groot – for assassins using motorcycles as weapons).

    • Nominee: Taurus Award for Best Work with a Vehicle (Adrian Guggemos, Jack Field – for assassins using motorcycles as weapons).

Summary: "The Killer's Game" earned 1 win and 3 nominations at the Taurus World Stunt Awards 2025, specifically winning for "Hardest Hit" and receiving nominations for Best Stunt Coordinator/2nd Unit Director, Best Speciality Stunt, and Best Work with a Vehicle.

Critics Reception: Enjoyably Imperfect B-Movie Fun

  • Reelviews Movie Reviews (Mark Fields): Fields notes that while director J.J. Perry understands cinematic action, the film "loses impact by going too gory" and suffers from "wrenching tonal shifts." He praises Bautista's performance, particularly his surprising credibility in a romantic role, and the interplay with Ben Kingsley and Alex Kingston, but feels these positive aspects are "washed away in a tide of over-the-top gore." He characterizes the film as reflecting the "video-gamification" of the industry due to its dismissive attitude towards character deaths. Overall, it can be "enjoyable in an undemanding sort of way" but at its worst, "damn near unwatchable."

  • Out & About Magazine (Mark Fields): Similar to Reelviews, this review by Mark Fields, highlights Bautista's ability to "transcend the seeming limitations of his distinctive physical form" and be "surprisingly touching, and credible, in a romantic role." However, it reiterates the criticism regarding the excessive gore and the film's sometimes "dismissive attitude toward the loss of life."

  • Why So Blu? (Brandon Peters): Peters offers a more positive outlook, calling The Killer's Game a "silly B-movie with a very A-grade look." He praises Dave Bautista's "earnest, capable leading performance" and Sofia Boutella's radiance, noting their good chemistry. While acknowledging the film's imperfections, calling it "imperfect, imperceptible and even in a few instances, dumb," he found it "engaged and fully enjoying the film throughout." He commends the audio/visual quality of the release.

  • Overall Summary: Critics generally agree that The Killer's Game is a high-octane action film with impressive stunts, driven by J.J. Perry's expertise and Dave Bautista's charm. While some find the excessive gore and tonal shifts problematic, others appreciate its embrace of the "B-movie" aesthetic, its blend of action and romantic comedy, and its overall entertaining, if imperfect, nature. It seems to appeal to viewers looking for straightforward, explosive fun.

Reviews: Action-Packed Ride with Charismatic Leads

  • Screen Rant (J.J. Perry interview insights): Director J.J. Perry discussed the decade-long journey to make the film and his focus on balancing the action with the romantic comedy elements. He emphasized his meticulous approach to fight choreography, working with a large-statured actor like Bautista who is a master of wrestling and jujitsu. He expressed confidence in the action but acknowledged the challenge of ensuring the romantic comedy felt genuine and had stakes.

  • Overall Summary: Reviews highlight the film's commitment to high-quality action sequences, benefiting from J.J. Perry's background. Dave Bautista and Sofia Boutella's chemistry is frequently noted as a strong point, giving the romantic subplot genuine warmth. Many reviewers seem to categorize it as a well-made "B-movie" that delivers on its promises for entertainment.

Box Office: Modest Performance The Killer's Game had a production budget of approximately $30 million. It grossed around $5.4 million domestically (United States) and an additional $462,897 internationally, for a worldwide total of approximately $5.9 million. This indicates a modest box office performance relative to its budget, suggesting it did not achieve widespread commercial success in its theatrical run.

Release date on streaming: Available on VOD The film was released on VOD and digital platforms on October 4, 2024, in the United States.

Theatrical Release: September 2024 The Killer's Game was released in the United States and Canada on September 13, 2024.

Why to watch this movie: Explosive Action, Dark Humor, and Dave Bautista's Appeal

  • High-Octane Action: If you're a fan of well-choreographed, hard-hitting action sequences and over-the-top violence, J.J. Perry's directorial debut delivers on that front.

  • Dave Bautista in a New Light: See Dave Bautista showcase his range as an actor, not just as an imposing action star, but also bringing unexpected charm and romantic credibility to his role.

  • Darkly Humorous Tone: The film blends intense action with black comedy, offering a unique and often absurd take on the hitman genre.

  • Ensemble of Quirky Assassins: Enjoy a colorful cast of eccentric characters, each with their own unique killing style, adding to the film's entertaining chaos.

  • Satisfying B-Movie Entertainment: If you appreciate well-executed "B-movies" that prioritize fun and action over deep narratives, this film fits the bill.

Movie Trend: The Action-Comedy Revival with Genre Blending The Killer's Game is part of the ongoing action-comedy revival, particularly the sub-trend of hyper-stylized hitman narratives with comedic elements. Following the success of franchises like John Wick and Kingsman, and films like Bullet Train, there's a clear appetite for movies that blend intense, often fantastical action with dark humor and quirky characters within the assassin world. This film further pushes the boundaries by incorporating romantic comedy tropes into this violent framework.

Social Trend: The Anti-Hero Charm and Escapist Violence The film taps into the social trend of the appeal of the anti-hero and escapist, stylized violence. In contemporary entertainment, there's a strong fascination with morally ambiguous protagonists who operate outside the law but possess a compelling personal code or vulnerability. Joe Flood fits this mold perfectly. Furthermore, the film's over-the-top, often comical violence provides a form of cathartic escapism, allowing audiences to engage with extreme scenarios in a detached, entertainment-focused way, often as a counterpoint to real-world complexities.

Final Verdict: A Fun, Gory Ride for Action-Comedy Enthusiasts The Killer's Game is a wild and entertaining ride for those who enjoy their action with a heavy dose of dark humor and don't mind a high body count. While its blend of genres and sometimes uneven tone might not appeal to everyone, J.J. Perry's expertise in action choreography, combined with Dave Bautista's surprisingly endearing performance, makes for a memorable and often hilarious cinematic experience. It's a solid entry in the growing action-comedy genre, offering an unpretentious and satisfying escape.


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