'The Killer' Q&A Fincher & Fassbender & Rian Johnson 15th Nov 2023

'The Killer' Q&A
Fincher & Fassbender moderated by Rian Johnson at The Academy Museum, Los Angeles, 15th Nov 2023. Check out my DAVID FINCHER playlist and for more film-makers discussing their camera choices see my TALKING SHOTS playlist. Follow my new Patreon for more on my Story Class feature film 'YOKAi' and Film Studies material in the TALKING SHOTS tier. See more fun shorts in my SHORT FILMS playlist. / mattjones235

[@OliverHollingdale]

Fassbender for Bond, Chris Nolan for Director set in the 60's! Make this happen!

[@internetsurfer3000]

Duuuuuuuuuuuude

[@GenesisTheory23]

This would be so good! I really hope the Nolan rumors are true.

[@matiasberto5684]

Keep Nolan away from Bond

[@NrMl1402]

No! Bond is no mega action. Nolan should do the next Mission Impossible! Imagine a director who wants everything as realistic as it gets and than Tom Cruise?

[@lithantushelo7932]

​@@NrMl1402Mission Impossible is as improbable if not more so as Bond the hell you mean😂, yes Cruise does practical stunts but so do Bond productions post Die another day

[@eonsislept207]

This will become a cult classic. The zeitgeist is just in a shitty place for this kind of film, people are oversaturated all the time and expect to be bombarded constantly. When stripped down, technical filmmaking is back in vogue, this will be revisited and lauded. It's not a weak point in his filmography, it's genuinely excellent. 👌

[@BrettTalleyMusic]

Completely agree.

[@ShotDrawnCut]

I concur! A perfectly calibrated ‘Don Siegal’ movie from a modern master.

[@firstlast9846]

It’ll for sure become a cult classic… I myself don’t know how to feel but I think i like it? I loved the comic it’s based on too

[@TheTerryE]

It's a fantastic movie. Contrast with Oppenheimer which throws everything but the kitchen sink at you and makes you EXHAUSTED. I've watched The Killer 3 times and loved it more each time.

[@thchruan]

The humour too is so key and so sly and subversive juxtaposed against such meticulous filmmaking with some creepy atmospheric design. He’s mocking the ludicrous incel God self image and cod philosophy as it all falters and collapses in real time. The tension and sound design was unreal. His physical performance when he runs into the house is unreal

[@herrschneider5310]

It felt more like a style exercise than a movie, but honestly if Fincher and Fassbender were reading the phonebook for 2 hours it would still be worth watching. Loved every second of it.

[@deloreanized]

That's valid. Cinema is bigger than movies, not unlike music is bigger than songs I will always thank movies for introducing me to the vastness of cinema, a whole barely explored artistic discipline and an amazing vehicle of expression that, yes, it transcends the function of "telling stories".

[@herrschneider5310]

@@deloreanized Agreed. Samsara & Baraka don't tell a story or even have any dialog, just different cultural impressions captured with a lot of skill, but I loved it and rewatch it regularly

[@wolfstar675]

Its a character study.

[@rockugotcha]

This is so amazing that literally no one in youtube, especially so called movie youtubers don't have any clue.

[@SalvadorJA]

This is what I love for, saw it on twitter and wondered if i was ever going to get to see it, and hours later, here it is! Thank you!

[@sdoc13]

Huge Thanks for super steady capture ~ and super swift posting! THIS is the way to do it 😎

[@shubhamjamwal5284]

Stick to the plan. Anticipate, don't improvise. Trust no one. Never yeald an advantage. Fight only the battle you're paid to fight. Forbid empathy. Empathy is weakness. Weakness is vulnerability. Each and every step of the way, ask yourself, "What's in it for me?" This is what it takes. What you must commit yourself to if you want to succeed. Simple.

[@NrMl1402]

Oh wow you can repeat lines you heard in a movie. Your mother brushes your teeth right?

[@shubhamjamwal5284]

@@NrMl1402 damn who hurt you dawg? 🤡

[@user-uq4gr5nl5o]

@@NrMl1402 You ok, lil bro?

[@goonzalez]

I think he narrates this at least 4 times. Every time I loved it. This movie is like a dark poem.

[@slimturnpike]

​@@goonzalezAgreed

[@seancorrigan7448]

Great entertainment with one of the best fight scenes of all time.

[@niclasarzt8616]

whomever asked the dog question, bless you - they laugh, but you are right - the symbolism behind this moment is great, I loved it, and I applaud your question. it was the first time, and maybe only time in the film the Killer actually showed some form of empathy and heart. kill a human, ok, but never hurt an animal.

[@firstlast9846]

I disagree - him tracking down the assassins was pretty much his empathy in disguise to begin with

[@slimturnpike]

​@@firstlast9846yes

[@littleoldmanboy]

@@firstlast9846yeah we knew he had a heart just didn’t often see it

[@reezy8899]

I had been waiting and waiting for this film and it delivered on all points. A masterpiece 💯

[@JimiJames]

Fincher is the man. He has great timing for laughs.

[@samgraef3028]

Almost had a heart attack when I saw this thumbnail. I know what I’m doing for the next 45 minutes.

[@DirtyDawg]

Daddy chill

[@MrFiddleedee]

Fassbender in a prison jumpsuit

[@KenTWOu]

I don't care whether this is minor Fincher or not, I wanted a movie I could point my finger at and say this is how you should adapt a Hitman Codename 47 videogame into a movie. I got exactly what I wanted.

[@firstlast9846]

It actually made me think about “I am Legend” and how a faithful book adaption could work with all the internal monologuing with a character who doesn’t often speak. But yea an Agent 47 movie like this would be dope

[@AceBlake]

I thought this about the film when watching. This is what the original Hitman film should have been.

[@piercebrosnan9528]

@@AceBlake I like both movies, for me I have watched Olyphant's Hitman around 20 times and while it could be slightly more accurate to the games, it did a decent enough job and makes some nice references and excels as a standalone action movie for me. The Killer is it's own thing completely and I applaud all involved.

[@supratiksarkar1195]

The girl with the dragon tattoo. My favourite. Mindhunter, another classic.

[@headphoneboy]

Thanks for posting this so quickly!

[@TonySurphman]

This movie was absolutely incredible and super realistic

[@Wilson.katie815]

Thanks for posting

[@maxmonas7131]

I'm so happy someone asked about the fight!!!

[@colinthedogfromspaced9365]

I wish ARROW VIDEO would do a boxset for Panic Room.

[@satan3347]

I've not seen this film but I feel i have seen Fassbender in a slew of close approximation of this character of a stoic, prying & observant individual in many of his films before that has become a niche for him. I'm thinking of him in Prometheus, him as Jobs & in Hunger etc

[@selena___]

Thank you. I was hoping for a Q&A which included Michael as well

[@Wilson.katie815]

Same here.

[@kostar500]

First Fassbender interview for awhile

[@viceviner1194]

michael fassbender was so worryingly convincing in the role....loved it..and not to mention the obsession with The Smiths!

[@jaggerlags]

Imagine getting to ask Fincher and Fassbender anything you want and getting hung up on some idea that a dog should’ve been shot unnecessarily.

[@fairairichmond5395]

Salaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!! I wish I was there!!!!!!!❤

[@AGoodJoe]

Johnson and Fincher look like brothers

[@Fosterdid]

Anyone else find it weird that for all the talk about Fincher's diamond-cutter precision and staging, the Motorbike chase stuff through Paris, as well as the Barcelona house infiltrations tuff, looks kind of cheap and glowy/bloomy, and just looks 'off' with all the handheld camera-shakes and whatnot going on? As far as I know, Fincher has never let the camera just bob around that much, and it looks at times to be compensating for something...which is supported kind of by looking at the behind the scenes stuff where they're shooting in front of a "green screen" (not exactly, but some kind of screen technology), and it''s just weird seeing it in a Fincher movie lol. I understand the visual metaphor stuff there about The killer's tight procedure coming "undone" in a way, but still was curious if anyone else had that impression. Also, (and I love the movie), did the fight scene with The Brute need Fassbender remaining conscious through a clean uppurcut right to the chin? lol I hardly need realism in my movies, but that is just such a clean, sound uppurcut right to the chops, it's weird how it doesn't render him remotely stunned for more than a second.

[@clementetiennelavallard133]

17:17 Most Fincher films come across as clinical and fairly cold hearted , he is anything but. The Killer, Social Network and Fight Club have their funny moments but I would love to watch a full fledged Fincher comedy.

[@theboofin]

Don't know why that just don't mount lav mics on people. Hand held mics often just sound boomy.

[@JuJu-he8ck]

i mean he nailed it. the character was played perfectly

[@mr.invisible3770]

Rian Johnson’s Star Wars Theory Blows.

[@leoquesto9183]

Fassbender in costume, taking a stab at those questions.

[@HorySmokes]

Wanted a question about the title sequence. There was some disturbing stuff in it. The baby?

[@adp023]

Is there a podcast episode of this anywhere? The sound quality in this video is subpar.

[@Highstakess_]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHe3nHmwicqdfZIsi=i7bYgV4n_cWhSihh this is a better version

[@khandmo]

I can't imagine what I was supposed to get out of this flick

[@morpho5539]

Did anybody else watch this movie and think that this movie should just be about Agent 47? I mean it's basically him and I immediately got Hitman World of Assassination vibes when the movie started.

[@DogAmongMen]

Lord almighty I cannot hear a word. Thanks for trying though!

[@doppie8888]

I would like to think the people who hate this film perhaps wanted Fincher to lean more to the painfully intricate Zodiac

[@_monolithic_]

28:54 Random guy: So why didn't he kill the dog? Fincher, who put a pregnant woman's head in a box: That seems mean.

[@jackxiao9702]

Very engaging film, I watched it through. But I wish they would have tightened up the plot. The plot really doesn't make sense. Nobody would behave that way, either middle or end.

[@robs9237]

I wish this Q&A session was filmed properly...is there one?

[@Highstakess_]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHe3nHmwicqdfZIsi=8yc0KB1O2UX2Pdj_ here

[@mightbefire]

As a massive Fincher fan, this movie was difficult. It fell so far short of his other movies. So many details too I would never expect him to miss.

[@jesusrueda4853]

Give it time man There's dept you need to look closer

[@davidlean1060]

Quiet right. I don't know if we are seeing the same things, but I was struck by how many references there are to his 'deeper' films, like Fight Club and The Social Network. @@jesusrueda4853

[@kokomanation]

It was an action film more than a thriller where the protagonist is a bad person that somehow at a certain level is likeable because his enemies are even worse than him later on.The killer is definitely a psychopath he has no empathy for the horrible things he does.In a sense the film has elements of a very dark comedy also extremely well executed film and greatly directed although the main character is not a role model for the audience

[@NateGH36O]

I think one of the points of the film is that he’s actually more empathetic and human than he’s convinced himself he is. I think that’s why he’s compelling to watch because you’re seeing his layers peel back and him seeing this happen in real time.

[@Elassyahmed]

Why is Fassbender wearing a similar outfit to what he wore in the movie?:)

[@davidb9531]

Awwww I really like a nice egg McMuffin

[@tuhinsubhranath4900]

Fincher starting to look like a old japanese filmmaker

[@tomsear1]

Sound problems mean the audience will think a shoot was/is poorly lit.

[@Highstakess_]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHe3nHmwicqdfZIsi=i7bYgV4n_cWhSihh better version of this video

[@jmdoe5822]

I think the issue is that with all the greatness in the execution of the majority of the film, the ending, like The Killer himself, misses the mark. Having never sought to involve himself in the motivations of those who hire him, he could just focus on all the ins and outs of the job, building his world view and philosophy around it. But then he finally meets one, and discovers that the attempt on his life, the beating of his girlfriend and all that followed was simply a consequence of a billionaire being upsold insurance on his first investment in murder. It renders the professionalism he holds so dear a little hollow. No grand conspiracies, he's just a plaything for the wealthy. However, being wealthy himself, he is pragmatic about this reveal and finds a way to convince himself he can just stop playing the game. Whilst spoon-feeding audiences is frowned upon, in this instance the impact of all of the above is clearly not being felt, leaving many simply wondering what that sound was buzzing past their ear.

[@lou-car-eo1146]

32:04 what does "safety tip, SAG members mean"?

[@Fosterdid]

Apologies if this makes no sense, but can someone help me out understanding the exchange starting at about 13:45 when it came to not making The Killer character "too cool", and then they bring up Alain Delon in Le Samourai and Fincher sort of smiles and says "none of that", and Fassbender then says "It's kind off, kind of quirky"....are they saying that they were actively avoiding making Fassbender's character look cool LIKE Delon, or are they saying Delon is the one who looks "off/quircky" and that that off--ness/quirkiness is what they were going for....I just can't quite tell the spirit in which their referencing Le Samourai, and it's bugging me lol. EDIT: okay after clearing my head and coming back to it, it seems like Fincher is just being sly like, "Of yeah of course there's no Deoln Samourai in it..." when it's a clear inspiration and is obviously what they were going for lol. Thanks everyone for joining me work through my need to understand lol

[@markroden9968]

"never kill the dog" unless you're Frank Underwood

[@Elassyahmed]

Satire hiding in plain sight. Fincher has balls the size of Saturn

[@MrMejia187]

Its too bad i felt like the first sequence in the movie is the only great part of it! I didnt really feel the tension like that again except maybe the brutal fight.

[@jensheekey5641]

Micheal Fassbender 💕

[@oscarsalesgirl296]

The only weak things about this movie were the taxi driver's acting and Tilda Swinton's character

[@markroden9968]

Explain yourself David! Not his best work

[@landoncarpenter5111]

Johnson is such a dork compared to fincher

[@MrFiddleedee]

Audio is too quiet, can hear Ryan the best which is the worst.

[@agmor1]

Seems like a Rian Johnson dictate. "Who would want to hear Fincher and Fassbender when they can listen to ME?"

[@NrMl1402]

Well you came here to hear Fassbender and Fincher? Well guess what! I played with you expectations and now you just hear me. I am a genius!

[@WikiZeruel]

@@agmor1 cry again

[@agmor1]

@@WikiZeruel Tears of boredom?

[@MrMejia187]

​@@agmor1you're the biggest Rian Johnson meat rider bro relax

[@danielfriasfotografia]

Horrible sound!

[@Highstakess_]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHe3nHmwicqdfZIsi=i7bYgV4n_cWhSihh this is a better version

[@philmitchell91]

Shame on Rian Johnson for being on the stage with two far more talented people than you. You should've hidden in a cave somewhere after ruining Star Wars.

[@crappymcdickster]

I'd rather be an alcoholic than care about rian johnson and star wars

[@agmor1]

God, why did these idiots want to ruin a possibly entertaining Q&A with Rian Johnson's presence?

[@gonzalo9241]

how does Rian's presence make any difference? He's just there moderating.

[@agmor1]

@@gonzalo9241 He is making it about himself, which is what he always does. Aren't there any respected moderators who could have done the job?

[@PlanetXerox]

brother in christ move the fuck on from your Last Jedi bias. it's not cool and it's boring.

[@WikiZeruel]

@@agmor1 yeah cry hes doing great job..idh why theres always a clown ready to cry for everything in comment section lmao

[@HorySmokes]

@@gonzalo9241 His questions were lame and he came across as nervous & bumbling.

[@SOLOHeyman]

I enjoyed it but at the same time I wish Fincher worked on something else with a better story. Didn't make sense to me that the Killer basically describes himself as a psychopath without any emotion. Then we find out he is filled with emotion for his secret love and now he goes on a mission of vengeance.

[@onsidelegal1002]

thats the point. hes a non psychopath trying to be psychopathic to do a psychopath's job. thats why he keeps repeating his mantras. and thats why the film's interesting. swintons character OTOH is an actual psychopath. you can tell bc of her monologue, and how calm and calculating she is in her last minutes of life. its a story of contrasts where lines sometimes blur. i think thats also why dumb ppl dont like it.

[@SOLOHeyman]

did you have to include that last sentence? Does it make you feel any better acting tough online? Dumb people assume any negative critique means they "don't like it". When my first 3 words in the initial reply were "I enjoyed it". @@onsidelegal1002

[@seiferwolfhart1144]

Could not have said it any better.

[@SOLOHeyman]

That's cute. You guys need to relax, you get all butthurt when anyone critiques someone you're a fanboy of. The movie looked great and was entertaining. But @onsidelegal1002 is trying to make the Killer character in league with Ulysees. Fun movie but easily forgettable in comparison to 7, The Game, Fight Club, Zodiac, Benjamin Button, Panic Room, Social Network..@@seiferwolfhart1144

[@slimturnpike]

Yeah you missed the point

[@dukensonguerrier5369]

Story wise this film was weak. It violated one of the main objectives of story telling: make †he audience care about the character, build empathy. Given the projects fincher has steered like GWTDT, it's really surprising that he decided to work on this weak script.

[@mdtys]

disappointing film, better than mank tho

[@oscarsalesgirl296]

Rian Johnson = everything Wrong about modern filmmaking. David Fincher= everything Right!

[@Menstral]

Rian should be laid to rest

[@vexkiddy]

Rian Johnson?? Whyyy??

[@fortynine3225]

Lots of people thought is was mediocre. I myself was bit disappointed after 10 minutes or so but that was because it is no John Wick sort of movie. The movie was consistent in its tone from beginning to end which i kind of liked that is why i enjoyed it nevertheless. The movie is a very clear tale...hitman screws up - they want to kill him hurt his partner instead - he goes after those responsible. There is only one thing i do disapprove of that is that there is no blu-ray etc..release instead mediocre quality Netfix. Let me say it..this movie deserves a decent quality release. Movies only in mediocro quality are no good no matter how good they actually are. Fincher. He is a famous director. I do not like ''se7en'' after seeing it several times..i think it is mediocre and overrated. Zodiac on the other hand i think is a awesome movie. The Social Network also is a great movie afaik. I watch those once a while. Fassbender. I know he is famous because of Xmen. I never have seen him being the star in a really good movie. And that is the case in this movie. I believe a actor is as good as the movies he is in. I think Fassbender got his movie right here.

[@ThePwig]

thank you for recording this. this was just last night! didn't realize they are still having screenings with them even though it's out on Netflix

[@davidlean1060]

Fincher is making use of the end of the actors' strike. The star of his movie hadn't been able to do press for the movie, so here he is, squeezing in some press while the movie is still fresh in peoples' minds with Fassbender beside him.

[@ThePwig]

@@davidlean1060 it’s wild because Fassbender is promoting “Next goal wins” and I was surprised to see him doing this movie. Really hope to see more interviews with him about The Killer

[@ANGRYWOLVERINE2060-ft2nc]

Yes it was great to see this. I hope Fassbender gets to play Magneto.That scene in South America (Argentina ?) with "those" people was so so good.

[@davidlean1060]

Loads of movies were at it. Oppenhiemer was out months ago, but a new Q and A after a screening with the 3 main stars was posted some days ago. @@ThePwig

[@joaovictorkelima2551]

What a Combo Johnson + Fincher + Fassbender

[@firstlast9846]

*I absolutely love* how the audience questions were just from people excited about the movie.. usually these type of Q&A’s with these massive directors are quite… low energy I guess? Probably from press run burnout. But nah that one woman who was like “Did you see that guy? He was huge!” 💀 so wholesome to see people’s enjoyment of movies.

[@Nobodysurvivesevenonebit]

Film is awesome.

[@calebmurphy9406]

Film IS awesome

[@TheShelbinator3000]

The guy at 24:30 is such a prick -- just *had* to point out he saw a flaw (which I'm sure he's wrong about) between building distances/focal lengths even after the topic of filming the Paris scene had passed.

[@Tails7212]

Rian Johnson ruined the sequel trilogy. Huge fan of Fincher and Fassbender but won't be watching this.

[@aliya_punkenglish]

The sound is so muffled, you can barely discern the words

[@lv2465]

I really enjoyed the Killer, I'd welcome a continuation.

[@of1300]

great film

[@mattceccotti]

Sorry can anyone explain why at 6:15 everyone was laughing at "precision modeling"? Is it a reference to something?

[@jovanrocksable]

I think rian johnson is like light david fincher

[@Khawlah.90]

this q&a is as interesting and entertaining as watching the movie.

[@aleksandarspasov6815]

Completely forgettable movie. Makes sense that it was made for Netflix.

[@NrMl1402]

If you can forget such perfection just because the story doesn´t fit you, you are no movie fan. And also, you are one of thos smartphone zombies who forget EVERYTHING after ten minutes.

[@jaggerlags]

@@NrMl1402Chill, they just didn’t like the movie as much as you.

[@slimturnpike]

My favorite Fincher film