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rosalindroe's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
bridget_books's review against another edition
4.0
I was doubtful going into this, but so much happened and the plot just kept moving. I really enjoyed how fast paced this story was. I never quite knew where the story would go, so it was good at surprising me, and I kept wanting to find out what would happen next. The characters were really interesting to think about and how their relationships with each other work so forcefully.
laurengarcia439's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
afishcalledmatt's review against another edition
4.0
Dark and insidiously funny, this is the play that helped make Letts a household name. Reading it, it's not difficult to understand why. The biting dialogue moves at a good clip and never sounds inauthentic coming from its characters. The plot also manages to upend expectations (if you haven't seen the film of the same name, that is) and work in a couple of so-hearty-you-feel-guilty laughs. Be warned, the play was rated X when it debuted in Chicago and the script doesn't pull any punches.
yourmainjoe's review
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual violence, and Violence
Minor: Drug abuse
moeckles's review against another edition
1.0
Had to read this for a class and, while I can admit it's well written, it's very very much not my thing and honestly I wouldn't have read it if I didn't have to.
jonh's review
5.0
Killer Joe is probably my favorite Tracy Letts play. Bug's a close second, but Killer Joe is definitely tops.
Chris is in dire financial straits, and the only option seems to be killing his mother for the insurance money. He, his father, and his father's step-mother, hire Killer Joe: a crooked detective who murders on the side. The only problem is that Killer Joe requires payment up front, no exception, and the Smiths don't have it. But perhaps he'll make an exception for Chris's sister, who immediately catches his eye . . .
Such a menacing play, full of anger and malevolence and violence. The characters are coarse, and broad "white trash" stereotypes are freely utilized. But utilized smartly: in reveling in these stereotypes, Letts gets to the heart of his characters' dark souls, and finds complexity where one might only assume shallowness.
I had the good fortune of seeing a portion of this play performed in a small apartment kitchen: a particular scene with a shocking, garish, violent act perpetrated. It was shocking, perversely thrilling, even. Watching that scene drove home how loaded Letts's earlier works are. Intense, angry plays with big ideas, and an eye for what audiences want to see.
I like August: Osage County just fine, but when it comes to Tracy Letts, I gotta go with his earlier work, especially Killer Joe. Check it out: you won't regret it.
Chris is in dire financial straits, and the only option seems to be killing his mother for the insurance money. He, his father, and his father's step-mother, hire Killer Joe: a crooked detective who murders on the side. The only problem is that Killer Joe requires payment up front, no exception, and the Smiths don't have it. But perhaps he'll make an exception for Chris's sister, who immediately catches his eye . . .
Such a menacing play, full of anger and malevolence and violence. The characters are coarse, and broad "white trash" stereotypes are freely utilized. But utilized smartly: in reveling in these stereotypes, Letts gets to the heart of his characters' dark souls, and finds complexity where one might only assume shallowness.
I had the good fortune of seeing a portion of this play performed in a small apartment kitchen: a particular scene with a shocking, garish, violent act perpetrated. It was shocking, perversely thrilling, even. Watching that scene drove home how loaded Letts's earlier works are. Intense, angry plays with big ideas, and an eye for what audiences want to see.
I like August: Osage County just fine, but when it comes to Tracy Letts, I gotta go with his earlier work, especially Killer Joe. Check it out: you won't regret it.
lnatal's review
3.0
From IMDB;
When a debt puts a young man's life in danger, he turns to putting a hit out on his evil mother in order to collect the insurance.
With Matthew McConaughey, Emile Hirsch, Juno Temple.
When a debt puts a young man's life in danger, he turns to putting a hit out on his evil mother in order to collect the insurance.
With Matthew McConaughey, Emile Hirsch, Juno Temple.