Natural Born Killers Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two abused lovers decide to kill everyone and become famous, proving that love is literally murder…or something.

🍿 Natural Born Killers: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Beginning of the Spree

Mickey and Mallory Knox, deeply in love and scarred by traumatic childhoods, embark on a cross-country killing spree. Their journey begins in a diner, where they brutally murder a group of rednecks, showcasing their violent and unpredictable nature. This act sets the stage for their infamy and media sensationalism.

Childhood Trauma and the Genesis of Violence

The film delves into Mickey and Mallory’s troubled pasts, revealing abusive households and psychological scars that fuel their violent tendencies. Mallory’s experience is portrayed through a twisted sitcom lens, highlighting the disturbing normalization of abuse. Mickey’s past also surfaces, showing how he became desensitized to violence at an early age.

Media Frenzy and the Rise to Infamy

As Mickey and Mallory’s body count rises, they become media sensations, with journalist Wayne Gale exploiting their story for ratings. Gale’s sensationalized reporting turns the killers into anti-heroes, sparking a morbid fascination among the public. This media circus amplifies their actions and contributes to their twisted legacy.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Mickey Knox (Woody Harrelson): A charismatic and philosophical serial killer, driven by a traumatic past and a belief in murder as a natural state.
• Mallory Wilson Knox (Juliette Lewis): A fiercely independent and equally deadly partner to Mickey, also shaped by a history of abuse and a rebellious spirit.
• Wayne Gale (Robert Downey Jr.): An ambitious and unscrupulous journalist who exploits Mickey and Mallory’s notoriety for ratings, ultimately becoming a victim of their violence.
• Jack Scagnetti (Tom Sizemore): A sociopathic detective obsessed with Mallory and mass murderers, representing a twisted reflection of the public’s fascination with violence.
• Dwight McClusky (Tommy Lee Jones): The corrupt and abusive warden of the prison where Mickey and Mallory are held, embodying the brutal system they rebel against.
• Mallory’s Dad (Rodney Dangerfield): Mallory’s abusive father whose murder sets Mickey and Mallory’s killing spree in motion, representing the cycle of violence they are trying to escape.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Mickey: “I’m a natural born killer.” – Mickey’s blunt self-assessment during his televised interview, encapsulating his and Mallory’s inherent nature.
• Old Indian: “Look, bitch, you knew I was a snake.” – A parable told by the old Indian man, foreshadowing Mickey’s betrayal and highlighting the inherent nature of some individuals.
• Mallory: “We’re not mean. We’re just naturally born killers.” – Mallory explains their actions with a chilling matter-of-factness, emphasizing the ‘natural’ aspect of their killing spree.
• Wayne Gale: “This is mayhem, this is madness, this is… prime time!” – Wayne Gale’s excited outburst during the prison riot, showcasing the media’s exploitative sensationalism of violence.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $34,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $50,282,766
• Worldwide Gross: $50,287,182

💥 Natural Born Killers Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so “Natural Born Killers” messed with my head the first time I watched it. The sheer visual chaos, the over-the-top violence, and the way it skewers media sensationalism – it’s a lot to take in. I remember being completely stunned by Juliette Lewis’s performance; she embodies Mallory’s raw energy and vulnerability in a way that’s both terrifying and heartbreaking. The sitcom-style flashbacks were especially jarring, highlighting the dark absurdity of Mallory’s childhood abuse. The scene where they meet the Native American, so the ending made me really think about the cycle of violence and our obsession with it.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Oliver Stone’s directing style”
  • “Viewers interested in crime satires”
  • “People who enjoy visually experimental films”
  • “Those interested in media criticism”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Disturbing themes”
  • “Child abuse”

Professional Reviews

• Rolling Stone: “Stone’s visual style is aggressively bold, creating a disturbing yet compelling cinematic experience. Harrelson and Lewis deliver unforgettable performances as the media-fueled killers, challenging the audience to confront its own fascination with violence.
• The New York Times: “A dizzying, often unsettling, satire on violence in American culture. Stone throws everything at the screen – animation, sitcom parodies, and frenetic editing – in an attempt to shock and provoke. Not for the faint of heart, but undeniably powerful.
• Variety: “While visually arresting and undeniably provocative, ‘Natural Born Killers’ often feels heavy-handed and lacking in subtlety. The performances are strong, but the film’s message gets lost in a barrage of stylistic choices.

Audience Reactions

The film’s bold visual style and fearless satire of media culture resonated with audiences.: Viewers praised the film’s audaciousness and its willingness to challenge conventional norms.

Harrelson and Lewis’s electrifying performances as Mickey and Mallory captivated many viewers.: Audiences were impressed by the actors’ commitment to their roles.

Overall Consensus: “Natural Born Killers” is a visually stunning, controversial satire that provokes strong reactions. It’s a disturbing but thought-provoking exploration of violence and media manipulation that leaves a lasting impression.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Quentin Tarantino wrote the original story and screenplay, but he disowned the final film due to Oliver Stone’s extensive rewrites and directorial choices.”
• “During filming, Juliette Lewis accidentally broke Tom Sizemore’s nose when she slammed his character’s face into a wall.”
• “Oliver Stone has said that he was using drugs during the making of the film.”

🖥️ How to Watch Natural Born Killers?

Natural Born Killers is available for streaming on various platforms including Prime Video, and Apple TV where you can rent or purchase the movie. Check your local listings for cable or satellite availability. You can also find purchase options on Amazon and other online retailers for both digital and physical copies.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Natural Born Killers, you might like these similar films:

• Bonnie and Clyde (1967): A classic portrayal of outlaw lovers on a crime spree, sharing a similar romanticized depiction of violence.
• Badlands (1973): Terrence Malick’s film explores a similar theme of young lovers embarking on a killing spree across America.
• True Romance (1993): Also written by Quentin Tarantino, it features a couple on the run from the mob, with a similar blend of violence and dark humor.
• Joker (2019): Explores the descent into madness and violence, with a focus on social commentary and media reaction to a disturbed individual.

🛒 Natural Born Killers Related Products

• Natural Born Killers (Director’s Cut) [Blu-ray]: The unrated director’s cut offers an even more visceral and uncompromising experience, featuring scenes not shown in theaters.
• Natural Born Killers: A Soundtrack For An Oliver Stone Film: Features a diverse mix of rock, blues, and industrial music that perfectly captures the film’s frenetic energy and dark themes.
• Natural Born Killers Movie Poster: High-quality print of the film’s iconic poster, capturing the raw intensity of Mickey and Mallory.
• Natural Born Killers T-Shirt: Show your affinity for this classic film with this exclusive t-shirt.

🎧 Soundtrack

Natural Born Killers features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Waiting for the Miracle” – performed by Leonard Cohen
• “Burn” – performed by Nine Inch Nails
• “Sweet Jane” – performed by Cowboy Junkies
• “You Will Become” – performed by L7

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Why Oliver Stone chose Woody Harrelson for Natural Born Killers

Ever wonder why Woody Harrelson was *perfect* for this role? Oliver Stone breaks down his thought process in this clip, and honestly, it makes so much sense when you hear it!

When the screenwriter hates the movie

Did you know Tarantino *hated* the final version of Natural Born Killers? This video breaks down all the changes Oliver Stone made to Tarantino’s original script, and it’s wild to see how different the movie could have been.

How Juliette Lewis Landed Her Role in “Natural Born Killers” (2016)

Juliette Lewis was amazing as Mallory Knox, but what was her audition process like? She shares her story in this interview, and it’s pretty cool to hear how she got the role.

Top 10 Fictional Serial Killers – Movies

Where do Mickey and Mallory rank among the all-time great fictional movie serial killers? This Top 10 list puts them in perspective, and it’s fun to see how they stack up against the competition.

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