In A Killer’s Memory on Amazon Prime, Michael Keaton shows a very vulnerable side. He plays a contract killer who has to give up his job for health reasons. Keaton as director and leading actor effortlessly between relationship drama and slow-burn thriller.
On Amazon Prime: This is what the thriller A Killer’s Memory is about
John “Aristotle” Knox (Michael Keaton) is due to the rare Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease suffering from dementia. He has little time left, as his mind is rapidly fading. The professional killer keeps his illness a secret, but his next assignment has fatal consequences for his partner Muncie.
When his estranged son Miles (James Marsden) asks him for a favor because he made a fatal mistake, the story picks up speed. Knox is supposed to help him out of trouble while the police are hot on his heels. But John Knox is finding it increasingly difficult to keep a clear head.
Keaton in top form: John Knox is an exciting, unpredictable character with dementia
Michael Keaton is both a hero and an anti-hero. Michael Keaton playfully alternates between an experienced profile killer with a razor-sharp mind, a person who seems delusional because of his illness, and a confused, mentally absent old man. Keaton always remains credible as Knox.
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Michael Keaton
Michael Keaton delivers a brilliant performanceespecially when you consider that this is only his second time directing a film himself. His directorial debut, Merry Gentleman, was 15 years ago. Although A Killer’s Memory could have been told more tightly (the film lasts 115 minutes), the thriller is worth seeing not only because of Keaton’s acting talent.
People become blurred in the killer’s mind’s eye. Sometimes the person has disappeared from both his memory and the screen in the next moment. The amazing thing: Nevertheless, Knox is believed to be able to partially overcome his illness through his self-control alone and to use rays of hope to pursue his plan.
A Killer’s Memory also has a high coolness factor
Gregory Poirier’s script follows a classic structure, with the film moving through Knox’s illness week by week. We get to know his paid Thursday date (Joanna Kulig), his former wife (Marcia Gay Harden) and Knox’s mentor Xavier Crane – played by Al Pacino.
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Al Pacino in A Killer’s Memory
Al Pacino plays the big boss talking on the phone in the bathtub, whose coolness is only surpassed by Knox’s partner Muncie (Ray McKinnon). While Knox’s environment is put together piece by piece like a puzzle of human relationships, the police try to solve both crimes in which Knox is involved.
Above all, Knox’s illness looms large. A Killer’s Memory does not evoke pity, however, but remains exciting until the last minute thanks to some twists.
You can now stream the thriller via subscription on Amazon Prime Video.