🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Nicol Paone
- Genre: Comedy, Thriller, Crime
- Release year: 2023
- Runtime (length): 1h 38min
- IMDb rating: 5.5/10 (8.5K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 20%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A hitman accidentally becomes a world-renowned avant-garde artist through a money laundering scheme gone sideways, proving that literally anyone can be an artist if you slap a hefty price tag on their work.
🍿 The Kill Room: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Struggling Art Gallery
Patrice (Uma Thurman), an art dealer, is facing financial ruin as her gallery struggles with zero sales. Desperate, she offers a painting to her drug supplier, Nate, as payment. This attracts the attention of Gordon (Samuel L. Jackson), Nate’s boss, who runs a criminal operation from a Jewish bakery. He sees an opportunity to use Patrice’s gallery for money laundering due to the subjective value of art.

From Hitman to ‘Avant-Garde’ Artist
Gordon enlists Reggie (Joe Manganiello), a professional hitman known as ‘The Bagman,’ to create artwork. Reggie’s violent profession unintentionally translates into avant-garde art, causing a stir in the art world. What started as a scheme to save Patrice’s gallery spirals out of control as Reggie gains fame and notoriety.

The Art World Goes Mad
Reggie’s art becomes a sensation, attracting the attention of wealthy collectors and critics. Patrice finds herself navigating the pressures of managing Reggie’s newfound fame while concealing the true source of his ‘inspiration.’ The situation escalates as Reggie grows tired of killing and wants to pursue art full-time, creating a conflict with his criminal obligations.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Patrice (Uma Thurman): A struggling art dealer who gets caught up in a money laundering scheme that turns an assassin into a famous artist.
- Reggie (Joe Manganiello): A hitman known as ‘The Bagman’ who inadvertently becomes a celebrated avant-garde artist as part of a money laundering operation.
- Gordon (Samuel L. Jackson): A criminal underworld figure who operates from a Jewish bakery and orchestrates the money laundering scheme using art.
- Grace (Maya Hawke): Patrice’s assistant who initially doesn’t realize the art scheme is a scam.
- Nate (Matthew Maher): Patrice’s drug dealer who inadvertently introduces her to Gordon, setting the money laundering plot in motion.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Patrice: “I’m an art dealer, not a criminal.” – Patrice expresses her initial reluctance to get involved in Gordon’s money laundering scheme.
- Gordon: “Art is subjective, that’s why it’s perfect for what we need.” – Gordon explains his rationale for using Patrice’s art gallery to launder money.
- Reggie: “I just want to paint and pour my feelings on a canvas.” – Reggie expresses his desire to leave the life of a hitman and pursue art.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $6.5M
- Domestic Gross: $139.4K
- Worldwide Gross: $994.1K
💥 The Kill Room Reviews
Personal Review
I went into this movie expecting a lighthearted crime comedy, and it mostly delivered. The scenes with Uma Thurman and Samuel L. Jackson had that classic Pulp Fiction vibe which was great. I wasn’t blown away, but I definitely laughed a few times. The whole idea of a hitman becoming a famous artist is just so absurd, it’s hard not to be entertained. I think the movie had potential to be funnier, but overall, it was a decent way to spend an evening.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of dark comedies”
- “Viewers interested in art world satires”
- “Fans of Uma Thurman and Samuel L. Jackson”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence”
- “Drug use”
- “Strong language”
Professional Reviews
- Showbiz Junkies: “While the premise is interesting, the movie struggles with wooden dialogue and weak direction. Uma Thurman and Samuel L. Jackson’s talent is undeniable, but even they can’t fully redeem the film’s flaws, making it a somewhat disappointing watch.
- Highonfilms: “The world is going mad over Reggie’s painting, calling it a masterpiece. However, all Reggie does is mix some color around and literally throw it on a canvas to mix it.
- Gazettely: “While the film boasts a strong cast, the execution falls short, and the movie’s humor might not resonate with everyone. It’s an entertaining watch, but don’t expect a cinematic masterpiece.
Audience Reactions
The film is an entertaining and satirical dark comedy.: Audiences appreciated the film’s clever skewering of the art world and its unique premise.
The reunion of Uma Thurman and Samuel L. Jackson was a highlight for many viewers.: Fans enjoyed seeing the dynamic duo back on screen together and praised their performances.
Overall Consensus: A mildly entertaining dark comedy with a talented cast, but suffers from uneven execution and a somewhat predictable plot. A fun, if not entirely memorable, watch.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Uma Thurman and Samuel L. Jackson reunite in this film, years after their iconic roles in Pulp Fiction.”
- “Maya Hawke, Uma Thurman’s daughter, co-stars in the film, adding a real-life family dynamic to the cast.”
- “The film satirizes the contemporary art world, exploring themes of value, authenticity, and the commodification of art.”
🖥️ How to Watch The Kill Room?
As of October 2024, ‘The Kill Room’ is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on streaming services that may include the film in their catalog. For physical media, you can find the Blu-ray or DVD on Amazon and at major retailers like Walmart and Target, depending on stock.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The Kill Room, you might like these similar films:
- Velvet Buzzsaw (2019): Satirizes the contemporary art world with a dark and comedic tone.
- Small Time Crooks (2000): Features a similar plot where a crime accidentally leads to unexpected success in a legitimate business.
- Pulp Fiction (1994): Reunites Uma Thurman and Samuel L. Jackson. With dark humor and crime elements that are classic Tarantino.
🛒 The Kill Room Related Products
- Pulp Fiction (Blu-ray): Relive the classic Tarantino film starring Uma Thurman and Samuel L. Jackson, a must-have for any film enthusiast and a nostalgic trip down memory lane.
- Art of Murder: Coloring Book: Unleash your inner artist with detailed illustrations, providing a unique creative outlet inspired by dark themes.
- Mafia III: Definitive Edition – PlayStation 4: A thrilling open-world game that immerses you in the criminal underworld, perfect for fans of crime stories.
- Modern Abstract Art Prints Set of 3: Elevate your space with a touch of avant-garde style. These vibrant, high-quality prints capture the essence of contemporary art, adding a sophisticated and inspiring atmosphere to any room.
🎧 Soundtrack
The Kill Room features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
‘The Kill Room’ is a dark comedy thriller about an art dealer who gets involved in a money-laundering scheme with a hitman, turning him into an overnight sensation in the art world.
Filming for ‘The Kill Room’ took place primarily in Hoboken, New Jersey, USA.
Yes, ‘The Kill Room’ is a dark comedy that satirizes the art world and crime genres.
🔥 Bonus Content
A Clan of Deadly Ninja Assassins Kill An Entire Army
Want to quickly understand the movie’s intense ninja action and complex story? This recap breaks it all down in just 12 minutes! I found it super helpful for clarifying some of the plot points – give it a watch!
✨ Rate
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.