The Killing Grin (2022)

The Killing Grin is a 2022 American Psychological Slasher film, directed by Matt Reeves and with a script written by Reeves and Jason Onorad and Produced by Todd Phillips. This Film takes place in the same universe as Matt Reeves The Batman (2021)

Ten years later after her Father and mother Henry and Tina Grey got murdered by the sinister Harley Quinn. Alexandra Grey has matured and tried to leave her past behind. But Alexandra knows that her past will follow her eventually. Alexandra Returns to Gotham after a new string of murders takes place in Gotham with her being the main target for Harley Quinn. On her Journey to avenge her dead parents she will meat some lovable allies and finally cross paths with Harley Quinn for One Hell of a Fight.

The film stars an ensemble cast including Betty Gilpin, Kaya Scodelario, Ansel Elgort, Elisabeth Moss, Oliver Stark , Samuel L. Jackson, Angela Basset, and Chelsea Mike Schmitt as Harley Quinn.

Development on the film began in September 2016, when Matt Reeves announced he would be Directing and Writing the script for the film, leaving Jason Onorad to produce the film. On the same day, it was announced that shooting would take place in New York City, Jersey City, and Newark from October 2016 to September 2021.

The Killing Grin was widely anticipated, and Warner Bros. backed the film with Dc Films largest marketing campaign. The film premiered at the 78th Venice Film Festival on September 2, 2022, where it won the Golden Lion. The film was theatrically released in the United States on September 11, 2022. The film received critical acclaim, with much praise for its screenplay, direction, acting (particularly that of Scodelario, Gilpin, Stark, and Schmitt), action sequences, emotional depth, Tone, Cinematography, and departure from traditional DC films. It became one of the best DC reviewed films in recent years. with many critics regarding it as one of the greatest DC films ever made, and it was selected by the National Board of Review as one of the top five films of 2022.

Cast
Kaya Scodelario as Alexandra Grey - Alexandra is the 33 Year old daughter of Henry and Tina Grey who were murdered by Harley Quinn back in 1962. And after a new string of murders start to appear. She decides to take action into her own hands and stand up to what's right for Gotham while trying to face her inner trauma and come face to face with the fact that she is LGBTQ. She doesn't see herself above other superheroes in comic books. she sees herself a someone who will never be recognized. Alexandra's characters is a Respctful, Quick-Witted, Fearless, Athletic, and will stop at nothing to avenge her dead parents. (American Accent)

Sandra Bullock as Monica Davis - A widowed single mother who lives in the building with her son Justin and everyone else. She thinks about moving away from Gotham and towards Metropolis because she describes Gotham as "a dumping ground for people who want Monica wants her son to continue what he wants to do and eventually graduate to college because he's so smart. Monica is Tough at times but in the end she will not stop to protect her son.

Betty Gilpin in as Detective Missy Johnson - a police detective investigating Harley's murder strings who is the partner of Lee Thomas who decides to help out Jamie early in the film to try not to make Gotham better for everyone but to also face the struggles with that she is LGBTQ and all the discrimination she has to fight against. Missy is Fearless, Intelligent, and is ready to take charge of any situation.

Samuel L. Jackson as Detective Lee Thomas - A police detective investigating Harley's murder strings and lives next door to Alexandra. Lee goes around Gotham investigating murders with a formed alliance with 3 other detectives in Gotham to learn more about the victims Harley Quinn has targeted Daniels characters is described as a Quick Witted thinkers who wants to be in charge of the CGPD. No matter what he has to do.

Angela Basset as Detective Jenn Thomas - Another detective of the GCPD who is also the wife of Lee Thomas who joins the GCPD so that she can put an end to the madness that Gotham has turned into. Jenn is usually the one who is able to search through the files to find out about the Harley Quinn victims history to see what they did that got them targeted. Jenn is quick-thinking and doesn't have take any orders from anyone else.

Elisabeth Moss as Julie Moore - One of the many residents in the building who had her entire family killed by home invaders in clown uniforms. When she was just 12 and has been running from death ever since. Julie tries to seek medical attention multiple times to cure her depression because she desperately wants to live a happy life and help others who need saving. That's why she is seen helping out multiple residents in the apartment building.

Ansel Elgort as Mitchell Grey - the son of Henry and Tina Grey who both were murdered 6 years ago and has been trying to cut ties with his sister ever since. He still loves his sister but he can't bear to look at her because it will just have him remembering the night that his parents were murdered. Mitchell Is another character who constantly visits Alexandra and her friends at The Therapy Group Session just so he can be able to socialize with more people to help with his depression.

Naomie Harris as Officer Sarah Rodgers - Another officer who works for the GCPD who investigates the series of murders committed by Harley Quinn. She wants to help out with Gotham's criminal problem because her Alice wants to have a baby with a another student at her school. She wants to let her do that but she cant because of the many criminals in Gotham that could endanger the baby's life.

Amanda Stenberg as Luna Rodgers - A crime photographer who gets spots some suspicious stuff Harley Quinn has been up to in Gotham. Later in the film she also decides to help Alexandra since her mom is a cop and she works for the press. Luna is a Outspoken girl who always says what’s on her mind and always wants to get the job done.

Saoirse Ronan as Andrea Madison - Alexandra’s best friend who she meets at every group therapy session. Andrea decided to become friends with Alexandra after hearing her story. Andrea’s mom is suffering from paranoia which she understands cause 2 years ago both experienced the bodies of Henry and Tina Grey and were actually the first ones to call the cops to investigate the Situation. Andrea is an athletic gymnast who never tries to question her moms paranoia because she knows she is one of the only people in Gotham who protects her 24/7.

Renée Zellweger as Detective Hailey Madison - Andrea's mother who works with the GCPD detective trio (Lee, Jenn, Missy) to solve the Harley Quinn killings. She suffers from paranoia and has a $100,000 home security system in her house to protect her and her daughter. She doesn't want to paranoia to be cured because it is a blessing to her and her mom had paranoia so if she doesn't have paranoia then she will forget her mom is 6 feet buried underground.

Oliver Stark as Luke Roberts - The foster father taking care of Alexandra after her parents got murdered in 1989. He doesn't want her to die because he wants to be a good father but because he was friends with Henry grey and he promised that he will never let Alexandra go no matter what. So he constantly decides to cheer her up by taking her hiking and doing activities with her to try to get her mind off of her trauma. Luke is very dedicated to protect Alexandra and would even try to fight the GCPD just to try to save Alexandra. (American Accent)

Brian "Stro" Bradley as Forseti Thomas - Forseti is a 24 year old African American student at Gotham Academy who is also a protestor amongst the Gotham protest that Gotham needs a new mayor. He states that after Aubrey James won the election, Criminal rates have been rising almost at an epidemic level at Gotham. To the point where Gotham is basically a dumping ground for the worst criminals on the earth. He thinks people like cops, medics, and business men stay because they want to try to take advantage of Gotham and use it for their own goods to take control over the city.

Jack Dylan Grazer as Justin Davis - The son of Monica Davis. Justin is also friends with Andrea, Alexandra, and Luna, because no one else wants to be his friends who he constantly meets at every Therapy Group Session after his home was invaded by home intruders with jack-o-lanterns heads on. Justin is always the one who is cracking jokes amongst the group and is always on the top of his classes and even makes his own weapons for Alexandra to use in combat against Harley Quinn. Justin is a smart quick kid who doesn’t want to get into any trouble of any kind.

Dylan Minette as Adam Fernard - Adam is Alexandra 23-year-old best friend. He’s sweet and kind. He also works as an Intern for Wayne Enterprises. Adam cares deeply for Sara and is “sensitive to her feelings”. Adam is also a virgin who thinks some day he will find the one girl who will accept him for who he is. Adam is also another character who visits Alexandra at every Therapy Group Session after he and his mom were caught in a terrible train crash that killed 45 passengers.

Peter Krause as Kyle Fernard -  Adam's father and fellow member of the GCPD, whose loud mouth and drinking often got him into trouble with the police, and he is implied to have secret romantic feelings for Hailey Madison. Kyle is barley seen in the movie because it is implied that he is a workaholic father who is always going to work as a welder. When he is seen home, Kyle is so happy to see his son because he missis him so much and wants to spend more time with him but cant because of work.

Kym Whitley as Maria Burnside - Maria is Adam's Caretaker who is always looking after him while his father is away at work. Maria is a fun, caring, and comedic caretaker who always wants to put a little more fun into Adam's life. And it work's because Adam loves Maria and doesn't want her to go because she is so fun and offers great advice for helping him with his virginity and love life.

Chelsea Mike Schmitt as Harley Quinn - A former-certified psychiatrist, who became a crazed criminal and the Joker's accomplice/girlfriend. She decides to go after Alexandra because she wants to make sure no on else in Gotham will try to hurt or or The Joker because she thinks everyone is after her and Mistah J. Harley Quinn thinks The Joker is the only person who is able to protect her in this crazy world. This version of Harley Quinn is a Seductive, Intimidating, Fearless, Brutal, Quick-Witted, and is ready to finish what she started back in 1962. She doesn’t hold back on anything and will always do any thing to reach her goal.

Supporting Cast
 * David Spegal as Henry Grey
 * Hannah Davis as Tina Grey
 * Jeffrey Wright as Commissioner Gordon
 * Tobin Bell as Father Joseph
 * Gavin Stenhouse as Trauma Therapy Group Leader
 * Bill Skarsgård as The Joker ( Post Credits Cameo)
 * Con O'Neill as Chief Mackenzie Bock
 * Barry Keoghan as Officer Stanley Merkel
 * Bill Murray as Commissioner Gillian Loeb
 * Yvonne Strahovski as Vicki Vale
 * John Goodman as Detective Harvey Bullock

Production
In February 2020, it was announced that matt Reeves would direct and write the script for a DC slasher/Thriller film through Warner Bros. alongside producer Jason Onorad.

Two months later, it was announced that Kaya Scodelario, Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson, Angela Basset, Betty Gilpin, Oliver Stark, Brian "Stro" Bradley, and Chelsea Mike Schmitt were cast as starring roles. Also that month, Jack Dylan Grazer and Renée Zellweger was added to the cast.

The film's production began in late-October 2016 in Glasgow, Scotland and went on for 5 years and concluded on September 24, 2021.

Release
The film was released by Warner Bros. in the United States on September 11, 2022, in 2D, RealD 3D, 4DX, ScreenX, Dolby 3D and IMAX 3D. The film held its world premiere at the Sydney Opera House in Australia on September 9, 2022. In the United States, the film opened to 6,839 theaters in its widest release. The Killing Grin was shown in cinemas for 189 days (27 weeks). It was originally scheduled to be released in the United States on April 24 but cot delayed due to the pandemic.

Reception
Box Office

The Killing Grin Was a Box office hit. Grossing $570 million in the United States and Canada and $902 million in other territories for a worldwide gross of $1.49 billion against a $172 million budget. Becoming the 8th highest-grossing superhero film of all time. The 10th highest grossing film of all time. And the highest grossing R rated film. And the highest grossing DC Film of all time.

Critical Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes the film holds an approval rating of 100% based on 654 reviews, with an average rating of 9.8/10 on IMDB, and a 5/5 on Common Sense Media. On Rotten Tomatoes, the critic's consensus reads "The Killing Grin tells a relatable and Inspiring story with a badass ensemble of relatable and well-written characters. And a thought provoking message that will make the movie worthwhile and provocative in the best way ." On Metacritic, the film has an average of 95 out of 100, based on 145 critics, indicating "Universal Acclaim". Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A+" on an A+ to F scale, while PostTrak reported filmgoers gave it a 96% overall positive score.

Accolades
Kaya Scodelario's performance in the film won her multiple awards, including an Academy Award for Best Actor, a BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, a Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actor, a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama, and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role.

The Killing Grin won the Best Actress (Scodelario) and Best Original Score awards at the 95nd Academy Awards. It received overall Twelve nominations (including Best Picture) from the ceremony, breaking the record of eleven held by Joker for the most nominations received by a film based on a comic book, comic strip or graphic novel. At the 75rd British Academy Film Awards, the film won Best Actor in a Leading Role (Scodelario), Best Casting, Best Actor In A Supporting Role (Gilpin) and Best Original Score out of a leading twelve nominations including Best Film. The film was nominated for five Golden Globe Awards for the 79th Ceremony, winning the awards for Best Original Score, Best Screenplay, and Best Actor (Scodelario).The film was nominated for nine awards at the 25th Critics' Choice Awards, winning Best Actor (Scodelario), Best Acting Ensemble, and Best Score, and was included in the American Film Institute's top 5 films of 2022.

Trivia

 * The film was shot in Glasgow, Scotland, The same place The Batman (2021)
 * Cinematography was held by Roger Deakins, Who also filmed 1917 (2019)
 * The Film takes place 20 years before Bruce Wayne Becomes The Batman
 * This film released two different cuts of the film. PG-13 or Green Band Cut for more teenage or young adult audiences. R or Red Band Cut for more mature audiences that shows more gore and blood.
 * The movie treats Forseti's view on Gotham and reasons of joining the protest in Gotham as a good thing because black people are just as equal as us and should have their own beliefs and fight for their own reasons cause their life's matter and they deserve justice.
 * In the Red Band cut, The KillIng Grin will attempt set a new Guinness World Record title for most swearing in one film.
 * Jason Onorad who made the original Killing Grin short film had a hand in working on the script with David Gordon Green telling him how the characters should be like and told him to flesh them out more.
 * The film received a 20 Minute Long standing ovation at the 78th International Venice Film Festival and won The Golden Lion Award.