KILL YOUR FRIENDS (2015)

Directed By: Owen Harris 
Written By: John Niven (Based on his novel) 
Cinematography By: Gustav Danielsson 
Editor: Bill Smedley 
Music By: Junkie XL 


Cast: Nicholas Hoult, James Corden, Craig Roberts, Georgina King, Jim Piddock, Ed Skrein, Joseph Mawle, Thomas Conroy 


An A&R man working at the height of the Britpop music craze goes to extremes in order to find his next hit.

Usually One can deal with dark comedy. Though for my tastes maybe this one went way too far. As it seems to try to be AMERICAN PSYCHO only not as deep or artistic set in the music industry. At least that film had a certain heightened reality and in interesting protagonist who made you question his actions.

This film almost every character is loathsome and the lead character is chief amongst them. You never really like him or root for him you are kind of stuck with him and as he goes through his actions. He isn’t as sharp as he seems to think and worse he never gets any kind of comeuppance. He is literally the devil and most associated with him whether knowingly or not are doomed. As when he strikes them It’s not with a quick blow but a hammer and chooses to do it slowly so they feel the pain before they perish.

It’s predictable but in it’s details at times you don’t expect it to go as far as it does.

The film is overloaded with drugs and some sex though not as graphic as you would expect. The only thing really graphic is language and violence in two scenes.

The film feel unceremoniously cruel for no real reason other than to be edgy and shock. Which makes it feel not only transparent but like the characters a show off. Maybe that is by design.

The film Wisely picks the 90’s music scene to be set in. As it offers a good soundtrack but also it has the hidden joke that what these characters care so much about is obsolete by the time we are watching the movie in. So it serves a certain nostalgic element.

The film surprisingly has quite a few recognizable actors in small roles which helps the films star power.

It’s the world the film takes place in even though it makes it seem that music is the only important thing. Where as though it is influential be men’s something to brood in a different way. It’s. It the only thing though the film shows how it can sue it’s own seductive power and not necessarily the actual art and talent part but how it’s Just another business interested in money and manipulating you to a degree. Not that the film tries to show you this it just reminds you of it at times. Though that was known before and will be known and displayed and explained again after it.

As it seems to be film that believes itself to be more clever and original than it is or at least presents itself as such but does so in such a vain and salacious way that it wants the audience to be dazzled by that and forget what it knows to be the truth.

Screenwriter John Niven actually worked in the music business in the 90s for The Levy Brothers heading up their London office and was no doubt in attendance in real life scenes mirrored in his book.

Ultimately the film is good enough as it serves what you expect. It offers very little surprises but entertains well enough. Though by the end you might feel angry and a little sad. Which is not the ending I believe it wants to leave the audience with.


Grade: C