ExTerminators

ExTerminators is an entertaining black comedy feature film from the year 2009, directed by John Inwood. It stars the incredibly talented Heather Graham, Jennifer Coolidge, and Matthew Settle, who contribute to the gripping narrative with their stellar performances.

The film initiates with the introduction of its lead character, Alex (played by Heather Graham), a conscientious and amicable woman in the marketing industry whose life takes an unexpected turn when she catches her husband having an affair. This unfortunate discovery results in a series of events ending with her unintentionally injuring the other woman. Consequently, Alex is court-ordered to attend anger management therapy, where she eventually meets two other women whose own lives are in turmoil.

One of these women is the office worker, Nikki (portrayed by Jennifer Coolidge), who is far more forthright and assertive than Alex, acting as her perfect foil. The other woman is the gorgeous and mysterious dentist, Stella (played by Joey Lauren Adams). As their connection deepens, they begin to navigate their travails together.

The plot of the film takes a hairpin twist when these women, during one of their sessions, meet a woman traumatized by the abuse from her husband. As they venture off the moral high ground to tackle the problem in their unique way, the ladies discover that by exterminating their problems, they can help other women who face similar predicaments. Subtly, what started as therapy sessions evolves into a full-blown business venture, with all the comedic ups and downs that it entails.

Heather Graham, as Alex, carries off her role with impeccable splendor. As an unfortunate wife turned into a businesswoman, her character goes through an exciting trajectory that Graham absolutely nails. Jennifer Coolidge, known for her comedic roles, does not disappoint in ExTerminators. She brings her uniquely quirky approach to Nikki, delivering many of the movie's best lines with splendid comedic timing and the perfect dose of sass. Joey Lauren Adams’s portrayal of Stella proves that she was the perfect choice for the role, excellently juxtaposing Graham’s and Coolidge’s characters.

Matthew Settle makes a cameo as Dan, Alex's cheating husband, contributing significantly to the storyline despite his limited screen time. His performance is worthy of mention as it lays the foundation for the film's plot. The supporting cast of the film, including the other members of the therapy group, also deliver notable performances that add depth to the narrative and contribute to the overall humor.

John Inwood, the director, indeed brings out the best in the ensemble cast while effectively controlling the narrative's pace. The film balances the challenge of touching upon the serious issue of domestic abuse while maintaining it as a comedy for almost its entirety. His directorial prowess is reflected in the way he cues humor into the plot and drives the evolution of the characters in a seamlessly woven narrative.

ExTerminators combines elements of comedy, drama, and a pinch of crime, and though it may initially seem like a traditional comedy, it provides a unique twist of empowering its female leads in an unusual business that weaponizes their anger productively. The film puts a lot on the table through humor - love, betrayal, trust, healing, and an unusual form of vigilante justice.

Beyond the theatrics and humor, ExTerminators subtly leans into the idea of sisterhood and women empowerment as women from different walks of life come together to tackle their personal combat and establish themselves in a man's world. It is not your usual vigilante movie but their own method of serving justice, wrapped up attractively in a veil of dark comedy.

ExTerminators is an engaging film that mixes comedy and drama perfectly and sprinkles it with a taste of innovative vigilante justice. It's an exciting adventure, filled with both humor and depth, showcasing an unorthodox remedy for relationship issues and delivering a fresh perspective on coping mechanisms, all within a dark comedic setup. May it be for the engaging storyline, the excellent performance of the cast, or the witty and dry humor, ExTerminators is worth watching.