Starring Christine Haeberman, Allen Andrews, Mary LeGault, Kathryn Playa
Directed by Drew Barnhardt
It’s so nice when an indie film actually does something different or interesting, or just showcases a filmmaker who obviously gives a shit. Because such a thing is a rarity these days, films like Murder Loves Killers Too are few and far between. But they’re just that much sweeter when they do finally show up.
Getting past the clunky title, which won’t really make any more sense when you see the movie, Murder Loves Killers Too is an indie with heart, style and a keen sense of when and how humor works should work horror. It never takes itself seriously, well maybe in the middle a bit (I’ll get to that in a minute), which leads to a damn good time from start to finish. Almost.
The premise is familiar, at best; five friends head out to an isolated cabin one of their number has rented for a weekend of booze, drugs and sex. How many times have we seen that simple premise beaten to death? What they don’t know is that Big Stevie (Andrews) also likes to utilize this cabin, though more as a hunting grounds than a retreat. There’s nothing all that menacing or imposing about Big Stevie, he just has a thing for killing kids and havingsex with girls who look like his daughter. Creepy? Oh hell yes, but still you can’t help but like him. He’s an everyday Joe who just has some strange, fatalistic kinks to him.
Murder Loves Killers Too isn’t excessively gory, another element that helps set it apart from its contemporaries. Usually a small budget and a helluva lot of blood is all an indie director needs to make his or her “film”, but because Barnhardt chose style over slaughter, the lack of gory death isn’t a detriment. I wish more up and coming directors would take the time to set up good shots and find decent actors rather than worry how many gallons of plasma are needed for their next shot.
Though not a perfect movie by any means, Murder Loves Killers Too is a (mostly) fast-paced good time that showcases a talent I hope we see more from in the near future. Be sure to hit up the film’s official site for more images and background on it, and we’ll of course be keeping you abreast of any developments so you can figure out when you’ll be able to dig on it, too!
3 1/2 out of 5
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