Cult Killer Banks on Women’s Trauma to Make a Story

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Cult Killer Review

In an almost oversaturated market of revenge-style action films, Cult Killer is now entering the market. A lackluster action movie featuring two women who are on opposite sides of the justice system both working independently, and at times together, to take down bad people. But the action is pretty light in the film, as well as the actual story development.

After Cassie’s (Alice Eve) mentor (Antonio Banderas) is killed by an assassin, she picks up the case he was working on as a PI. What she doesn’t know is the killer, Jamie (Shelley Henning) feels instant regret for the death and wants to work with Cassie to bring down the same people. The two women bond over the fact that they were both assaulted for years and this past trauma binds the women together.

Using trauma as the only reason these women connect is not only sloppy but also poor writing in general. Cassie seemingly unphased by her mentor’s death beyond just a couple of minutes, takes Jamie’s half-assed apology of “I don’t think I should have killed him” as gospel and instantly finds a connection with her. They have no real conversations about anything other than the men in their lives, who assaulted them. Putting this movie squarely in the face of failing every part of the Bechdel test as well as being written by someone who most likely hasn’t had a conversation or built a relationship with women. Sure, their trauma and their assaults could be a connection between the women – but it’s not the only part of their personality or characters.

Low on action, even lower on story development, or caring about making halfway believable characters, Cult Killer is in select theaters now.

Overall Rating:

Two Stars Review

About Cult Killer:

A PI (Antonio Banderas) and his partner (Alice Eve) are drawn into a web of intrigue when they start tracking a serial killer targeting a wealthy family with a dark secret.

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