by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Kill, the latest in a long line of killer action flicks in this peak era for the genre,is here for the July 4 holiday when people are ready for big thrills on a big screen. This new Indian thrill ride from writer/director Nikhil Nagesh Bhat fits perfectly in the new corner of impeccably made action flicks in the vein of John Wick, Mad Max: Fury Road, and Mission: Impossible. Kill is yet another reminder to all those action movie fans out there that we are eating well, and there is plenty more to come.
How does Bhat craft this new flick to deliver the most satisfying experience possible? One of the most interesting aspects of Kill is its structure. This film makes sure to set up a story and characters we can get behind before things go full-blown killing spree on a New Delhi train. We have a commando (Lakshya) in love with a gorgeous woman (Tanya Maniktala) betrothed to another. Don’t you hate it when that happens? We understand the love between them, and we get the motivation for when Lakshya’s protagonist goes off on this train full of bandits. But what is most interesting is that this 105-minute film delivers one of the longest cold opens. When Kill pops on screen… you know the rest of the film will be one of the craziest experiences of the year.
Is Kill more than just a bloody and action-filled train ride? As mentioned before, our protagonist has love to fight for, and there is some strong chemistry between Lakshya and Maniktala. But all the other connections the film displays show its true themes. There is plenty of violence and action, but Bhat has plenty more to say about the consequences of violence, and who hurts. So many of the deaths have emotional impact, because we witness the victims’ loved ones grieve for them. Whether they are the passengers or the bandits, they all have family and connections. The film challenges our protagonist and the audience to question what killing is truly justified, or if it is just a mindless cycle of pain and suffering. Bhat is impressively able to find that balance between entertainment and making a statement.
But what is the most important thing about an action film? The action, of course! Without a doubt, Kill delivers on that front. The final hour or so is mostly action, but that doesn’t mean we are left without the first act. There is plenty of visceral, close combat as our commando (and others) go toe-to-toe with a large band of bandits on this train. There are certainly times when the enclosed setting is a bit limiting, as there are some elements that feel a tad repetitive. Bhat finds some new elements to incorporate towards the end, but most of this film is knives, fists, and feet galore. There is an ample amount of blood and guts throughout the train ride from hell. Bhat is never shy in showing the pools of blood that are the result of brutal stabbings. There are a few big emotional moments that hang on as well, just to make sure the full impact of these deaths hit. The camera knows how to navigate this enclosed space, and the editing is efficient enough to allow the choreography to be on full display. Lakshya delivers with plenty of great physicality, and sells the brutality that fills out this crazy film.
Is Kill going to stick around in the conversation about a new high time for the action genre? It certainly should. Bhat has impeccably crafted a film, and it can surely be appreciated for just that. The action is up there with the greatest of the genre of today. 2024 has already been a great year for action, with the likes of Monkey Man and Furiosa putting audiences on the edge of their seats, but Bhat has something intelligent and poignant to say about the nature of violence as well. Other elements of the film, such as the romance, play it simply, but the themes shine brightly. Few films are able to balance that message while delivering great action, but Kill is definitely one of them.
Rating: Liked It
Kill is currently playing in theaters
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