2024 has been packed with thrillers, and “Killer Heat” has the chance to stand out with its intense atmosphere and recognizable cast. The 2024 film, released on Sept. 26 and directed by Philippe Martinez, offers a mix of emotions including emotional depth and suspense.
The plot is about two brothers who fall in love with the same woman, leading to distrust, betrayal and much darker secrets between the twins. When one of the twins dies suspiciously, the remaining brother and woman are suspects. It’s up to private investigator Nick Bail (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), to find out what’s behind this “accident” and face what could be a darker secret than expected.
I have had no experience with any of Martinez’s movies, but I’m pleasantly surprised with the cinematography in this movie. The movie was a visual win, set in a desert environment and on a remote Greek island. I could feel the isolation and intensity through the screen, making it blend perfectly with the main idea of the movie. The only complaint I have is at times there would be some pointless lingering in scenes where there was no action. For example, there would be times when it would stay on some scenery for 10 seconds, which felt a little overboard.
When I found this movie and looked at the cast list, I was excited to see such a range of talented actors. I first noticed Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who I admired in the classic movie “10 Things I Hate About You.” I felt as though Gordon-Levitt was a great choice for the character because he offered such a complex performance, but I still think the movie didn’t serve him justice. His performance was great, and the history of the indie movies he’s been in helps with that. The next big actor in this movie was Shailene Woodley who played as the woman in between this triangle. I will say I was a little disappointed, Woodley, while pretty strong in her role, didn’t showcase her full range which felt like a missed opportunity. I wanted to feel for her in the story because of the circumstances this character was in, but I didn’t feel any sort of connection to her. The same goes with Richard Madden who struggled to show the character’s emotional arc. This cast almost feels like a mixed bag, and that’s affected this movie negatively.
Although the costumes were simple and nothing stood out to me, that’s what made them effective. The majority of the characters were billionaires on a Greek island, so the simple and sleek fashion they wore made perfect sense. It was practical and rugged, all of them wearing what seemed to be a mix of earth tones. Even though I didn’t enjoy most outfits, that didn’t necessarily mean they did a bad job. Honestly, it fits the desert and Greek vibe.
It’s odd because despite the writing being good and snappy sometimes, it still faltered in some of the most important parts of the movie. The pace felt uneven at times and some scenes felt stretched out for too long. The twists were predictable, but the timing when they happened had me caught off guard which made it better. The writing undermined the tension a bit and what started as a suspenseful movie kinda turned into a melodrama.
Although I didn’t recognize any songs throughout the movie, the amount of strings and synth I heard built up the suspense I needed. The songs were dramatic, and I found the lyrics often matched the situation the characters were in. The soundtrack was likely the only thing I can say I liked without hesitation. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy some of the characters and the overall cinematography.
This movie had all the right ingredients, but the result didn’t come out as expected. I would like to see if this movie gets any more fame and if so, I would love to see what others think. I’m giving this movie a solid three stars because areas were missing. It was still a great movie and I’m so glad I watched it. I would recommend this movie to anyone who loves a complex mystery.
“Killer Heat:” ★★★☆☆
