KILLERMAN

US, 2019, 112 minutes, Colour.
Liam Hemsworth, Emory Cohen.
Directed by Malik Bader.

This actioner, as might be expected from the title, is a violent gangster film. It has a New York setting.

The main focus is on a young dealer, Moe, able to launder money, the film showing him during two hours one afternoon covering five deals, transferring cash, collecting cheques. He is played by Liam Hemsworth. His friend and associate, Skunk (Emory Cohen), is a loyal friend but does not have the intelligence and acumen.

When they are trying to do a deal for themselves, they are intercepted by corrupt police who pursue them, Moe injured in a crash and losing his memory. The cops take Skunk and torture him to get information about the whereabouts of the money. Moe arrives, takes out the killers and he and Skunk drive off to avoid any retaliation.

There is a final twist indicating that in fact, Moe was an undercover police agent.

1. Tough gangster film? Drugs? money-laundering, corrupt police?

2. The city settings, offices, police precincts, the streets, the cityscapes, car chase, atmosphere for drug dealers and shootings? The musical score?

3. The title, reference to Moe Diamond? Liam Hemsworth’s presence? His work, money-laundering, friendship with Skunk, two hours and their doing the variety of transactions, trading cash, getting cheques, their share?

4. Moe’s character, in charge, smooth operator? Skunk, his uncle and his wanting to become respectable, getting the money for him? His loyalty to his friend? Their working together?

5. The halt in the operation? The decision to go on? Again, making quick money, the encounter with the dealers? Their African backgrounds? Moe setting up the young man? Murdered?

6. The intervention of the crooked cops, no scruple, the car chase, Moe and his being injured, amnesia? Unable to answer the questions? Skunk being taken, in the cage, the torture, the questions, the dog?

7. Moe and his mission, to rescue Skunk, the attack on the police, their deaths? Confronting the uncle who taunts him> Shooting? Skunk and Moe and their escape, the money, getting out of town and disappearing?

8. The irony that Moe was an undercover police officer, in his amnesia not knowing, his future?