"An enforcer for the mob enacts her revenge on those who double-crossed her and left her for dead."
KILLING JOAN is written and directed by Todd Bartoo, who traditionally wears a producer hat. As a production KILLING JOAN shines. Bartoo has assembled an ensemble cast from Jamie Bernadette (All Girls Weekend, The Darkness), Erik Audé (The ABC's of Death), Dion Basco (Dahmer), Casper Andreas (Kiss Me Kill Me), to Erin O'Brien (Abattoir, 12/12/12). Bernadette has already proven her ability to rise above expectations and everyone else has plenty of talent between. But how does KILLING JOAN add to their repertoire and does Bartoo deliver on the promises of after death vengeance?
To reiterate, KILLING JOAN is about an enforcer known for her ruthless tactics and wild abandon. After she is double-crossed and left for dead, she becomes a vengeful spirit, wielding dark and mysterious powers. Rightfully compared to The Crow, KILLING JOAN is a dark thriller/action film complete with a supernatural vengeance that seeks to punish the evil on these streets. I guess it also has a Spawn type feel by taking a very bad person, endowed with dark powers, and making them a savior.
This is the week of Jamie Bernadette with simultaneous releases of 4/20 MASSACRE and KILLING JOAN. Since Will is handling the pot-head slasher flick, I figured I would take on this revenge thriller in the hopes that it would be everything I hoped it was.The opening scene promised something more horror like as hapless victim in a parking garage finds himself dragged around by an unseen assailant. After that, it goes all mob enforcer as the life and habits of Joan are introduced. Bernadette actually shines, coming off as a veteran actor working hard at making the character her own. I feel as if the other actors inhibited her ability to truly become the character, which I expected to be at least a little more sadistic despite her eventually noble calling. In defense of the actors, I'm not entirely sure if its a lapse in writing or directing, or a combination, but many of the lines come out clumsy and halted. I don't feel like its an acting issue since the characters were believable, just clumsy. In the end we have a noteworthy concept, excellent soundtrack, and striking visuals that provides amped entertainment despite the all I've harped on above.
KILLING JOAN is available this April 3rd on VOD.
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