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Join us for a battle — a couple of them! During Episode 004 of Horror Movie Weekly, BillChete picks “The Killing of a Sacred Deer” (2017), a film that he calls “the most unique Horror film you will have ever seen by far.” BillChete also said this flick is “one of the most unnerving, freaky movies I have seen in the past two decades.” But this a controversial film among your Triad of Terror — Jay of the Dead, BillChete and Lady Phantom, so join us as we lock horns to discuss “The Killing of a Sacred Deer.”
On Horror Movie Weekly, your late-night Horror hosts Jay of the Dead, BillChete and Lady Phantom bring you one recent Horror movie review every Sunday. (We’re defining “recent” as any Horror movie released within the last five years.) And we always reveal next week’s pick at the end of every show, so you can watch along with us and be prepared for the following episode. Join us, and thanks for listening!
SHOW NOTES:
Introduction
– Horror Movie Weekly’s first iTunes review: Maurice Jones
— The Uninvited or The Howling?
— Shout-out (and called-out) from Pastor Matt from Father and Son Watch Horror Movies
— BillChete references http://www.slashncast.com/
– BillChete’s pick for this week’s review:
The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017) — Genre Classification: debated among our hosts
Premise: A highly respected cardiothoracic surgeon and his family begin to suffer mysterious health afflictions after the surgeon seemingly becomes beholden to an eccentric teenage boy.
Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. Written by Yorgos Lanthimos and Efthymis Filippou. Starring Colin Farrell, Barry Keoghan, Nicole Kidman, et al. Rated R for disturbing violent and sexual content, some graphic nudity and language. Runtime: 2 hours, 1 min.
Ratings and Recommendations: The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)
Jay of the Dead = 4.5 ( Not conventional Horror / Low-priority Rental )
BillChete = 9 ( Buy it! / Must-own for any Horror fan )
Lady Phantom = 9 ( Buy it! )
— Land of the Creeps “Monster House” winner: Greg “The Gray Man” Bensch
Next on Episode 005: Incident in a Ghostland (2018) — Lady Phantom’s pick
Podcast artwork: Lady Phantom
Original podcast theme music: Jay of the Dead
Links for this episode:
Jay appears as a guest on Land of the Creeps Ep. 203: Gateway to Horror! Check it out!
Follow us on Twitter: @horror_weekly
Website: Horror Movie Weekly.com
Jay of the Dead’s film blog / solocast: ConsideringTheCinema.com
Jay’s HORROR-only content: ConsideringHorrorCinema.com
Good evening HMW,
This was an entertaining episode. Jay, if No Escape can be horror, then this film certainly can be. Both films feature families facing threats that could cause them to be killed. This was particularly disturbing as Collin Farrell’s character has to make a decision he was hoping to avoid. I could not imagine having to make that decision. It is a horror/thriller or thriller/horror if you prefer, but it definitely is a horror film. Sorry Jay of the Dead.
I don’t think the quality of the filmcraft can be argued. Yorgos Lanthimos has done a great job of telling this tragic tale. Cinematography is excellent, as the whole movie looks great, whether in outdoor or interior scenes. Sound design and score are really effective. Performances are strong in my opinion. Raffey Cassidy was good as the daughter. Barry Keoghan was very creepy as Martin. Nicole Kidman was excellent and carried the film well, despite playing off of the reserved Colin Farrell.
They don’t bother explaining the source of Martin’s power and they don’t need to. It doesn’t matter if Colin Farrell was or was not liable in the death of Martin’s father, even though he probably wasn’t in my opinion. The very fact that the threat is real makes this film so effective. If in dealing with the conflict of the story, in finding the solution that does the least amount of harm, how do you decide who is the one to “even the score” and give Martin his definition of justice? It’s a loser’s bet, period.
The ending might bother some, but to me it makes perfect sense. This is a film that will have you thinking about it later. The family does not deserve what happens to them when they are confronted by this evil, malevolent enemy disguised as this teenage boy. It is pretty horrifying. I have to go with Bill and Lady Phantom here.
The Killing of a Sacred Deer is an 8.5/10. It’s a recommended blu ray purchase.
Incident in a Ghostland should be lots of fun. It’s on Shudder now. Looking forward to that one and also to Pastor Matt’s response to the ever eloquent BillChete. That will also be fun.
Have a great week all,
Sean
Great review, Sean! Thank you for your comment. It means a lot to us that you take the time to leave your thoughts here.
Bill: “ I picked a movie everyone hates”
Bill: “ let me tell you why I have to like it”
Trailer: Raffie Cassidy-Burn starts to play….
Everyone: “ please stop you don’t know Jack about horror”
IS NO ONE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THAT THIS MOVIE IS BASED ON A GREEK TRAGEDY!? COME ON GUYS!!!!!!!!(For Jay this may help explain the movie better because for some reason he cannot seem to wrap his head around the supernatural aspects.)
This was my favorite review next to tusks, sorry for the late responses I literally just found out you guys were doing this podcast, and I cried from excitement. The banter is grade A.
I agree with all of BillChete and the Phantom’s points. This movie is UNSETTLING. The performances are amazing. Barry Keoghan is a superb actor; I cannot wait to see what he does in the future.
I wish this episode was longer, because I really feel like there is so much to talk about with this movie!
Anyways, I’m at work typing this, you guys are my heroes please keep this going forever. Thank you!
PS. Jay please rewatch this and stop being such a dingus. It’s a near perfect film!
Hehe… thank you, Dan! I’m happy you like the podcast, and I hope you keep being entertained. Thanks for commenting!
@Dan Dabrowski: Thanks Dan for listening and commenting! Totally agree it is one of the most unsettling horror films I seen! I wish it was longer too; lol; I could talk about so many scenes in this film!
@Sean Smith: Good evening and thanks for being a continual commenter! So glad you are enjoying the episodes! BTW: Jay’s “what is horror” is whack! I love my fellow brotheren though!
Great choice Bill. One of my favorite horror films from that year. I enjoyed listening to your conversations about it.