Watch: Trailer For William Friedkin's NC-17 Rated 'Killer Joe' Starring Matthew McConaughey & Emile Hirsch

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by Kevin Jagernauth
May 8, 2012 12:25 PM
3 Comments

While we're not even halfway through the cinematic year, we can pretty much guarantee that few movies will have a finale as brazen, bizarre, absurd and thrilling as William Friedkin's black as coal comedy/thriller "Killer Joe." But then again, there are few movies out there like it. Stamped with an NC-17 rating by the MPAA (likely due to that climatic scene), LD Entertainment is bravely soldiering on with a theatrical release (good for them) and the trailer has now arrived.

"Killer Joe" doesn't lend itself easily to a trailer, but what's presented here is a pretty good encapsulation of what you're going to get, even if it is slightly spoilery (read our non-spoiler review here). Matthew McConaughey leads the cast, in what is easily one of the best, or at least most atypical, performances of his career. He plays the titular hitman, employed by the desperate Emile Hirsch to knock off his mother for the paltry $50,000 life insurance policy, so he can pay off a debt he owes to some very bad dudes. With no collateral, he puts up his sister, Juno Temple as a retainer and well, things spiral out of control. And it should be noted, Gina Gershon's turn is just as noteworthy as McConaughey's, and she really goes to far-off places in a pretty fearless performance.

What the trailer hints at, but doesn't put across fully, is just how fucking funny the movie is. Yes, it's got bursts of violence and it's tense as hell, but it's also wickedly hilarious, with a morbid streak of humor that is a blast. You'll really see nothing else like it this year. Stick it to the MPAA and go see "Killer Joe" when it opens on July 27th. Watch below.

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More: Killer Joe, Matthew McConaughey, Emile Hirsch, Juno Temple, Film Trailers

3 Comments

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yo | May 8, 2012 10:08 PMReply

what was so gratuitous?
Matt N. | May 8, 2012 1:55 PMReply

I caught "Killer Joe" at SXSW this year and HATED it. I've got nothing against violence or sex in movies, but "Joe" took the word "gratuitous" to a whole new level. Waste of time.
SveN | May 8, 2012 4:48 PM

I found it very gratuitous, explicit and not very tasteful. I also found it hilarious and entertaining. But I do understand that people hate it.
For me, it was a superior B-movie and certainly not a cinematic highlight. (is that correct english? :-)