'The Killing Of A Sacred Deer' A Review

The Killing of a Sacred Deer is a horror allegory and dark comedy inspired by the Greek myth of Iphigenia, who is threatened with sacrifice after her father kills a sacred deer. Dr. Steven Murphy(Colin Farrell) is a cardiologist with a seemingly idyllic suburban family however he meets surreptitiously with Martin(Barry Keoghan) a young boy, the nature of their relationship is unclear. To the consternation and panic of Steven and his wife Anna(Nicole Kidman) their two children Kim(Raffey Cassidy) and Bob(Sunny Suljic) become inexplicably immobilized with other life threatening symptoms to come. After all medical options are exhausted the only solution is an impossible choice.

Farrell is excellent as the guilty and pathetic doctor, finding a great resonance with the effected, dry, and bizarre style of writer/director Yorgos Lanthimos in this their second collaboration after 2015's The Lobster. Though Kidman seems to relish the constricted acting style and do more with it, the two share easily one of the best scenes of the year in a kitchen argument that is glorious in its emotional kabuki madness. Keoghan also flourishes with the odd presentational and the horrificly comic script giving a performance that will get him cast in years to come. There's also a surprising and delicious cameo from a 90's star whose exposure has faded in recent years. All in all there is a delightful absurdity and menace in all the performances that are incredibly unique given the almost universal realism we see on film and on stage.

Visually the film is off putting and luscious, mundane and surreal. The score at some points quietly elevating the action and at others discordantly distracting or jarringly heavy handed. The subject matter is certainly not for the faint of heart, the film is disturbing, but it is also remarkably distinct. An engaging, surprising, brutal, funny spark in an all too mediocre cinema landscape.

See It.