You’re Killing Me (2016)
Starring Jeffery Self, Matthew McKelligon, Drew Droege, Edi Patterson, Jack Plotnick, Bryan Safi
Directed by Jim Hansen
Distributed by Wolfe Video (available on DVD 3/8/16)
You’re Killing Me is the story of boy meets boy, and boy meets machete. It’s an outrageously witty, funny, and yes – quite bloody – slasher flick that skews gay but is really for anyone who loves to laugh and poke at pop culture icons, social media obsession, the L.A. hipster lifestyle, and… watching clueless victims just asking to be killed. It’s like Scream meets “Dexter” meets “Queer as Folk.”
Here’s the skinny: Wannabe YouTube skit star George (Jeffery Self, also the co-screenwriter) is a vivacious, loquacious upwardly-mobile 20-something who’s not really looking for love… until love sneaks up and finds him. Joe (Matthew McKelligon) is a quirky, quiet, socially awkward, very handsome slacker who wants nothing more than to be a slasher. Shortly before running into George, Joe has stabbed and killed his first victim, and now his thirst for blood is insatiable.
All narcissistic George sees is Joe as he appears on the surface: cute and totally into him. Nothing else matters, even as Joe begins to stalk George’s circle of friends. It takes a body count to get everyone’s attention, but they soon shut up (sort of) and start running… of course, killer Joe is always in hot pursuit.
Directed and co-penned by Internet sensation Jim Hansen, You’re Killing Me is as creative as it is clever. I must admit I hadn’t seen Hansen’s work before (he’s the creator of “The Chloe Videos” online), but I will seek it out now. In tandem with his co-screenwriter, Hansen’s got a knack: a very easy, natural way with dialogue that puts you right in the room with the cliquey group of wisecracking friends and lovers. Unlike a lot of shoestring slashers, each character in You’re Killing Me has their own voice (even if they are stereotypes; but they are funny, bang-on stereotypes sent-up to perfection).
While it doesn’t have a purposely cinematic look, the film is very well shot; and everything looks great. Whether it’s a stylistic choice or a budgetary one, gratuitous violence and its aftermath are kept to a minimum, which actually adds to the effectiveness of the horror aspect. We sometimes see quick-cut glimpses into Joe’s fantasies, which add to the freak-out factor. A good soundtrack and a variety of locations and well-dressed sets add to the depth and dimension.
The actors are all excellent – especially the leads, who have a believable chemistry in the midst of all the kooky comedy – and there’s even a fun cameo by Mindy Cohn from “The Facts of Life.”
You’re Killing Me is well worth a look, especially with a “$10 bottle of wine” and good friends.
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Film
Categorized:Reviews
