Review: “The Killer’s Game” (2024)

 

When we think about wrestlers-turned-actors, only a handful have successfully made the leap to big-screen stardom. Dwayne Johnson stands out as a prime example, having established himself as one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actors. John Cena has also made his mark, albeit largely in comedic roles, which can be a mixed bag depending on your tastes.

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Then there's Dave Bautista, a more complex case. He has excelled in supporting roles and collaborated with prominent directors, but his leading performances have varied in quality. His latest venture, The Killer’s Game, doesn’t exactly push his limits, at times even restraining him. However, Bautista effectively embodies his role, delivering a compelling performance that shines through the material’s shortcomings, especially in the film's lackluster second half.

In this action-comedy, Bautista takes on the role of Joe Flood, a skilled yet principled assassin who seeks to leave his violent lifestyle behind after finding love. As any fan of assassin movies knows, escaping such a perilous career isn’t easy, and Joe soon learns this lesson the hard way, as he must navigate a series of deadly confrontations if he hopes to find peace.

The Killer’s Game is based on Jay Bonansinga's 1997 novel, with a screenplay by Rand Ravich and James Coyne. While they attempt to infuse depth into a fairly conventional plot, many of the attempts feel rather absurd, leaving audiences wondering if the absurdity is intentional or a misstep. Director J.J. Perry tries to channel the gritty style of John Wick, but in doing so, he struggles to balance action with comedy.

The film kicks off in Budapest, where Joe Flood is on a hit. Following a chaotic shootout, he saves a ballet dancer named Maize (Sofia Boutella) from danger, leading to an unexpected romance. As their relationship deepens, Joe grapples with a life-changing decision: should he leave the only life he's ever known, or reveal his true profession to Maize?

Unfortunately for Joe, his situation worsens when he visits a doctor who diagnoses him with a rapid, incurable form of dementia, giving him just three months to live. Facing this dire prognosis, he plans to end his life and sets up a contract for his own assassination. However, in a surprising twist, Joe later learns from his doctor that his test results were misread and he’s perfectly healthy. Attempting to cancel the hit on himself becomes a race against time when he’s targeted by an old adversary, Marianna (Pom Klementieff).

The second half of the film follows Joe as he battles an array of assassins from around the world. While Perry attempts to capture the visceral intensity of John Wick, he ultimately falls short. The colorful cast of assassins, each with exaggerated personalities, feels like a collection of caricatures that fail to resonate. Most of them meet their end through exaggerated violence, complete with distracting digital blood effects that detract from the overall experience.

The Killer’s Game throws in flashy techniques like split screens and bold text overlays in an effort to elevate the storytelling. However, these stylistic choices do little to enhance what is ultimately a mediocre action-comedy that loses momentum as it progresses. While die-hard fans of Dave Bautista might find some enjoyment in this film, for many viewers, it feels like a familiar story retold with different faces.

The Killer’s Game is currently in theaters.