The Kill Room Review: Artful Chaos Unleashed

• Release date: September 29, 2023
• Cast: Alexis Linkletter, Joe Manganiello, Danny Plaza, Amy Keum, Neal Davidson, Uma Thurman, Maya Hawke, Zora Casebere, Ethan Herschenfeld, Ariel Eliaz, Samuel L. Jackson, Matthew Maher, Jordon Bolden, Jennifer Kim, Larry Pine, Candy Buckley, Tom Pecinka
• Director: Nicol Paone
• Producer: Jordan Yale Levine, Jordan Beckerman, Anne Clements, William Rosenfeld, Bill Kenwright, Nicol Paone, Dannielle Thomas, Jason Weinberg, Uma Thurman, Jon Keeyes
• Genre: Comedy, Thriller, Mystery 
• IMDb rating: 5.4/10

Detailed Review of “The Kill Room”

This story is funny and exciting. It's about Patrice, played by Thurman. Patrice owns a busy gallery in Manhattan. She often feels stressed, so she takes Adderall for help. Gordon, played by Jackson, is another character. He's not just a regular baker; he bakes in Brooklyn. But there's more – he's part of the underworld, involved in illegal stuff.

Gordon suggests a unique idea for Patrice. He wants to use her struggling art gallery to move money for the mob. The idea mixes art and the underworld differently and interestingly.

The story surprises us when a local troublemaker named Reggie, played by Joe Manganiello, becomes an accidental art sensation. Reggie makes fake masterpieces and calls himself "the Bagman." His strange move involves using carrier bags to suffocate his enemies, making the movie darkly funny.

Things get messy as Reggie's success makes the mafia bosses who pay him angry. This is like the unexpected successes in "The Producers."

The film tries to make fun of the art world and has funny moments, but it falls short because dull directions of Nicol Paone's and Jonathan Jacobson's unimpressive screenplay. Despite these problems, Thurman and Jackson's onscreen chemistry shines in which we see Thurman's character is amusingly tired and adds a cool twist to the story. 

Authenticity vs Adorableness

Thurman's real-life daughter, Maya Hawke. Brings funny moments as an upset artist. Manganiello lacks charisma. She sometimes makes the movie less energetic. The story has some unbelievable parts, like Reggie's strange way of dealing with enemies and the doubtful plan to clean money through the art world.

"The Kill Room" tries to make fun of the art world with dark comedy and murder, similar to Velvet Buzzsaw. Even though it has more laughs and a sharper take on the art and criminal world, it doesn't become a memorable movie. Watching it is okay, thanks to the charm of the main actors, especially Jackson's unique way of talking and Thurman's skilful portrayal of being troubled.

The supporting cast, with Maya Hawke, Matthew Maher, Jennifer Kim, and Dree Hemingway, brings some fun moments, but it's not enough to balance the mix of brutal violence and broad humour. "The Kill Room" might not be a masterpiece, but it entertains with Thurman, Jackson, and Manganiello's funny performances, leading us through a world where art and crime collide in amusing chaos.

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