Killers Anonymous Blu-ray Review

THE MOVIE — 1.5/5

Plot Synopsis: Tensions mount at Killers Anonymous, a support group for killers, as the members of the group try to unravel the mystery behind which one of them is responsible for the assassination attempt on a U.S. senator that has the police authorities in the city on high alert. But things are not what they seem, and when new truths surface, secret alliances and betrayals emerge as the session explodes into violence and chaos.

Review: I was very much looking forward to Killers Anonymous, mostly on the concept and that it at least had Gary Oldman even in a small role. Then again, one of the companies involved is the “illustrious” Grindstone Entertainment… whose output has been, with few exceptions, abysmal. Guess one could say they’re continuing their losing streak. Such a shame.

Not only conceptually was Killers Anonymous a failure, but even the great Gary Oldman, outside of the first few minutes anyway, turns in one of his lazier performances, relegated to appearing on a rooftop set piece and listening in on the events occurring inside the titular “Killers Anonymous” meeting (and occasionally peering through binoculars).

The rest of the ensemble, not that they got a lot to work with, didn’t offer much else either. Although, along with Oldman, prominently displayed on the cover artwork, Jessica Alba merely makes a cameo early on before being dispensed with, though the fight sequence between her and Suki Waterhouse (also in a brief appearance) had some okay chorography, interrupted with animated shots with the cast names. Tommy Flanagan plays up with tough guy role fine, I suppose; and Rhyon Nicole Brown, in what could be considered the main character, was alright, but nothing outstanding. I guess of the bunch, Tim McInnerny, playing a serial killing doctor obsessed with death was the most interesting one.

The issue at hand, Killers Anonymous is one of those movies that pretty much takes place in one location, occasionally veering outside on the roof for cigarette breaks, and most of the dialogue is nonsensical neither furthering or growing the mystery nor giving us engaging characters, save for the aforementioned McInnerny. It really leads to nowhere. Add in some convolution, even within the context of a room filled with “recovering” killers, and this is a movie that goes off the rails finishing up with a twist that’s both confusing and absurd. Again, even within the context of the story.

The film was co-scripted and directed by Martin Owen, marking his third feature film. Despite having an f’ing Academy Award winner, and just a legendary actor, in Gary Oldman (curious to know how he got roped in), he does little taking advantage, and even when taking into consideration he likely only had him for a day, still had hoped for more.

SPECIAL FEATURES – 2.25/5

This release comes with a glossy, title-embossed, slip cover. There is a redemption code for the Digital HD copy. Features are plentiful, but there is an Audio Commentary with Co-Writer/Director Martin Owen and Cinematographer Håvard Helle, a few Deleted Scenes (12:11), an Alternate Ending (7:37) and the Trailer (2:14).

VIDEO – 4.0/5

AUDIO – 3.5/5

OVERALL – 2.0/5

Killers Anonymous had a fun premise and a great actor in Gary Oldman, but neither aspect resulted in anything very entertaining in a movie which consisted of characters in a mostly singular location talking, culminating with a convoluted twist. The Blu-ray at least has respectable video and audio transfers while the bonus features were okay, notably the nowadays rare audio commentary.