Japan and Indonesia cinemas collaborate for a killer thriller
Seldom do we get a film collaboration between the best of two countries. But when it happens, we get a wonder child like The Killers.
The story is split between two individuals. Japanese serial killer Nomura (Kazuki Kitamura) has a fetish for violently torturing his victims, then uploading videos of his sessions online.
Indonesian journalist Bayu (Oka Antara) chances upon Nomura’s videos and is sickened by the content but finds himself re-enacting the violence on a burglar. He subconsciously records and uploads a video of the act online.
Nomura identifies with Bayu, and reaches out to his psychopathic soulmate.
Til Death Do Us Part
The Killers ties two separate persons together in a fateful bond through inhumane violence.
Fans of psychological thrillers will love the killer camaraderie between these two criminals. It’s a treat to see the two seasoned horror actors turn up the heat on screen.
Kitamura is known for his outstanding work in movies like Kill Bill and Thermae Romae. Antara has starred in an impressive number of Indonesian horror films, including the semi-American V/H/S/2.
However, this unity soon turns into tension and self-destruction. Nomura finds his life distorted from the moment Bayu arrives, and his behaviour becomes even more frightening.
To make matters more thrilling, Bayu meets a girl, Hisae (Rin Takanashi), who stands out from his other victims.
It certainly sounds like a story to die for.
Big, bad villain
The cold-hearted character of Nomura may be both the boon and bane of this production.
Even actor Kitamura reveals that he could not identify with his character: “There is no reason or desires that explain his actions, and he lacks any morals. What he does is… completely inhumane. As an individual, there is no part of the character Nomura I can identify with.”
But there are undoubtedly many viewers who can appreciate a good bad guy, moral deficiency included.
“I realise that the end result may be mixed reviews,” Kitamura said with a laugh.
Killer collaboration
This blood-soaked venture comes from a merger of the biggest names in Japanese and Indonesian horror.
Timo Tjahjanto – of the award-winning Indonesian duo The Mo Brothers – and Japanese director Takuji Ushiyama co-developed the script.
Given the directors’ penchant for artistic horror, we won’t be surprised if some people will start to buy into the violence as an art form.
The KILLERs [TBA]
Directors: Timo Tjahjanto and Takuji Ushiyama
Starring: Kazuki Kitamura, Oka Antara & Rin Takanashi
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Run length: 138 min
Release: 16 Oct
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