Killers Anonymous

Killers Anonymous is a 2019 crime mystery thriller that delves into the dark underworld of a mysterious group — a group centered on hitmen, assassins, people of the shadows. Directed by Martin Owen and starring the likes of Tommy Flanagan, Rhyon Nicole Brown, and MyAnna Buring, the film offers a unique and striking perspective about the lives of these characters that tread on the wrong side of the law even as it puzzles the viewer with a myriad of plot twists and revelations.

The film is set in the grimy, shadowy landscape of an unnamed city, filled to the brim with tension. The atmospheric cinematography creates an ideal backdrop against which we meet the central characters, connected by a clandestine support group – 'Killers Anonymous'. This group maintains confidentiality in the face of an uncommon profession embraced by its members, people who commit murders for a living. Tommy Flanagan, known for his engaging performances, plays Markus, a senior member of the group. His character provides a sort of grim leadership, offering guidance and setting the rules for the group.

Rhyon Nicole Brown provides a standout performance as Alice, a new member of the group. Alice is a complex character escorted by personal demons, complemented by Brown’s nuanced acting where she navigates through Alice's disconcerting confusion and lingering dread with convincing ease. MyAnna Buring of 'The Witcher' fame plays Joanna, the structured and seemingly emotionless coordinator of the group, whose cold and clinical exterior hides a maze of secrets.

The narrative of Killers Anonymous is layered with suspense and slow-burn revelations that keep viewers engaged. The group's routine starts to unravel after an attempted assassination of a U.S Senator, leading into the involvement of a law enforcement investigation. As the mystery unfolds, each member of the support group starts feeling the pressure and begins to question the loyalty of others, unravelling years of trust. This catapults the story into a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, with the group’s survival hanging in the balance.

Throughout the course of the film, the story constantly shifts timelines and perspectives, going into the personal lives of the 'killers' to throw light on their motivations and moral struggles. Each member’s backstory is methodically peeled away in layers, thus adding depth and richness to the characters, blurring the line between their professional and personal lives. The element of the unknown in the plot is always maintained, as the viewer navigates through numerous plot twists, revealing unexpected connections and unearthing buried secrets. Breathless intensity shimmers across the screen as these trained killers negotiate their way around one another, bringing the movie to a shattering conclusion.

The suspense-filled narrative is drenched in a palette of moody colors and low-light settings, turning the film into a visually striking affair. The production design and cinematography of the film contribute to the atmospheric tension significantly. The excellent use of sharp dialogue, leavened by occasional dark humor, adds nuance to the personalities of the hitmen and women, helping the viewer to connect emotionally with these otherwise remorseless characters.

The score, composed by Roger Goula, also plays a crucial role in escalating the mood of the thriller. The music ebbs and flows with the tension, dropping into silence in parts and then soaring during the climactic scenes, maintaining the viewers on the edge of their seats throughout the movie.

Killers Anonymous, while suspenseful, also raises pertinent questions about sanity, guilt, and morality through the lives of its central characters. It paints an uncomfortable, yet intriguing portrait of people living on the fringes, pointing at the duality of their existence. While gruesome, the film has a considerable emotional gravity, forcing the audience to empathize with the characters, making the plot a compelling watch overall.

In short, Killers Anonymous isn't just a crime thriller—it's a stirring exploration of killers grappling with the consequences of their actions. Each twist and turn reveal the inherent dread of their situation, building to a climactic conclusion that stays with the viewer long after the credits roll.