Watch Natural Born Killers
- R
- 1994
- 1 hr 59 min
-
7.2 (240,315)
Natural Born Killers (1994) is a crime-thriller directed by Oliver Stone and starring Woody Harrelson, Juliette Lewis, and Tom Sizemore. The film explores a disturbing love story between Mickey Knox (Harrelson) and Mallory Wilson (Lewis), two young lovers who embark on a killing spree that becomes legendary. The film's story follows Mickey and Mallory as they travel across the country, murdering whomever they come across. They become media darlings as their killing spree continues to make headlines everywhere. Meanwhile, a journalist named Wayne Gale (Robert Downey Jr.) becomes obsessed with their story and attempts to interview them for his show, American Maniacs. As Mickey and Mallory's killing spree continues, they are pursued by Detective Jack Scagnetti (Sizemore), who is determined to catch them and bring them to justice. The film's narrative weaves between the present-day events and glimpses into Mickey and Mallory's troubled past. Through these flashbacks, we see how their experiences with abuse and neglect have shaped their psyches and led them down this dark path. The film's visual style is as frenetic as its narrative. Stone uses a mix of techniques, including black and white footage, animation, and surreal imagery, to create a feverish atmosphere that mirrors the characters' psychosis. Despite the film's graphic violence and surrealism, Stone also peppers the movie with moments of dark humor that underscore the absurdity of Mickey and Mallory's exploits. Harrelson and Lewis give standout performances as the film's leads. Harrelson brings a manic energy to Mickey that makes him both terrifying and compelling to watch. Lewis, on the other hand, imbues Mallory with a raw, animalistic quality that makes her an equal partner in the killing spree. Sizemore's Detective Jack Scagnetti is a more grounded character, but he is no less intense than his co-stars. Scagnetti's dogged commitment to bringing Mickey and Mallory to justice is a fascinating counterpoint to Mickey and Mallory's nihilism. The film's soundtrack is also worth mentioning, as it features an eclectic mix of music that ranges from classical to punk to hip-hop. The soundtrack helps to underscore the film's frenetic tempo and adds to its sense of offbeat humor. Natural Born Killers is a fascinating exploration of violence, media, and celebrity culture. The film's story is as relevant today as it was when it was first released, as our fascination with crime and true crime stories has only grown since then. Despite its disturbing subject matter, the film is a gripping, genre-bending masterpiece that is worth seeing for its electrifying performances and undeniable style.