Greek writer-director Yogos Lanthimos's ethically murky, profoundly disturbing thriller—set to Schubert's mournful Stabat Mater—is a ghastly tale of guilt and retribution that begins with a close-up, clinical view of open-heart surgery, introducing Dr. Steven Murphy (Colin Farrell), who has an ophthalmologist wife named Anna (Nicole Kidman), 14-year-old daughter Kim (Raffey Cassidy), and 12-year-old son Bob (Sunny Suljic). But the primary object of Steven's attention is 16-year-old Martin (Barry Keoghan), the creepy son of a patient who died several years ago. Not only does Martin hold Steven responsible for his father's death, but Steven also feels morally accountable. The two meet in secret, lunching in a café and strolling by the river. But then Martin unexpectedly shows up at the hospital, forcing Steven to introduce him to a colleague (Bill Camp) as Kim's friend. And after Steven invites Martin to his suburban home for dinner, Martin politely reciprocates by trying to fix up Steven with his widowed mother (Alicia Silverstone). All of this serves as prelude to something not just very dark but arguably sadistic. Working from an austere script, Lanthimos directs the actors to deliver their dialogue in a disconcerting, deadpan tone in this strange film that will divide viewers. A strong optional purchase. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include “An Impossible Conundrum” making-of featurette (23 min.), and a bonus UltraViolet copy of the film. Bottom line: a decent extras package for an uneven film.] (S. Granger)
The Killing of a Sacred Deer
Lionsgate, 121 min., R, DVD: $19.98, Blu-ray: $24.99, Jan. 23 Volume 33, Issue 2
The Killing of a Sacred Deer
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