The Killing Grin (2022)

The Killing Grin is a 2022 American slasher/Thriller film, directed by Jordan Peele and with a script written by Leigh Whannell and Produced by Rian Johnson. Part of the DCEU and the second DCEU film to receive an R rating. The film follows the residents of Gotham City who are slowly stalked by a mysterious clown figure who is known as Harley Quinn. Soon the residents learn that people will not stop dying at the mercy of Harley's hands until they fight back. The film stars Aubrey Plaza, Kaya Scoldelario, Brenton Thwaites, Naomie Harris, Imogen Poots, Samuel L. Jackson, Taylor Russell, and Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn.

Development on the film began in September 2016, when Jordan Peele announced that he would direct the film and write the script with Leigh Whannell and Rian Johnson. On the same day, it was announced that shooting would take place in New York City, Jersey City, and Newark from October 2016 to July 2020.

The Killing Grin was released in the United States on April 24 in standard, IMAX, and Dolby Cinema formats. The film had its world premiere on January 25 at the El Capitan Theater in California. The film grossed $921 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing slasher film of all-time. The film received high praise for its cinematography, Visual style, Peele's Direction, Acting, Atmosphere, screenplay, horror elements, and emotional weight. though it was meant with controversy for its graphic content.

Cast
Kaya Scoldelario as Jasmine Grey - the daughter of Henry and Tina Grey who both mysteriously went missing 6 years ago who is invested in finding more about her dead parents.

Aubrey Plaza as Monica Davis - A widowed single mother whose 14-year-old son got kidnapped ten years ago and was traumatized by it and blames herself for the incident.

Betty Gilpin in as Detective Missy Johnson - a police detective investigating Harley's murder strings.

Samuel L Jackson as Detective Tyrone Thomas - a police detective investigating Harley's murder strings.

Angela Bassett as Shantae Thomas - The wife of Tyrone Thomas who suggests he should not take the case to protect their family.

Elisabeth Moss as Julie Moore - one of the recent victims of Harley's murders who plans to kill Harley after she believes that her daughter was murdered by Harley Quinn.

Brenton Thwaites as Mitchell Grey - the son of Henry and Tina Grey who both went mysteriously missing 6 years ago and has been living in hiding and has been avoiding his sister ever since.

Naomie Harris as Nikki Lynn - the mother of Alice Lynn who gets kidnapped by Harley Quinn after visiting her in Arkham asylum. Naomie has been investigating her daughter's disappearance ever since.

Taylor Russell as Alice Lynn - A crime photographer who gets kidnapped by Harley Quinn after getting spotted at her co-worker's party.

Lily Donoghue as Miranda Moore - The daughter of Julie Moore who escapes getting murdered by Harley Quinn and is resting at a hospital to recuperate.

Imogen Poots as Andrea Madison - Lily's Best friend who gets targeted by Harley Quinn after her best friend is assumed dead.

Christina Hendricks as Lucy Madison - Andrea's mother who does not believe her that she is getting stalked by a serial killer.

Oliver Stark as Luke Roberts - The foster father taking care of Jasmine and Mitchell after their parents are killed.

Gabriel Bateman as Justin Davis - The son of Monica Davis who got kidnapped by Harley Quinn as a baby and has been missing for ten years and finally learns that Harley is back and decides to fight Harley for what she did to him ten years ago.

Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn - A former-certified psychiatrist, who became a crazed criminal and the Joker's accomplice/girlfriend, and later a part of the Suicide Squad. She has since cut ties with the Joker after the pair broke up. She is brutal, ruthless, peppy and fun the way we all know and loves with a few twists. She has her own motives and her own drive and nobody knows what she is going to do next.

Production
In February 2020, it was announced that Jordan Peele would direct and write the script for a DC slasher film through Warner Bros. alongside Leigh Whannell.

Two months later, it was announced that Kaya Scoldelario, Aubrey Plaza, Samuel L. Jackson, Elisabeth Moss, and Taylor Russell were cast as starring roles. Also that month, Naomie Harris was added to the cast.

The film's production began in late-October 2018 in New York City, Jersey City, and Newark and went on for 2 years and concluded on July 15, 2020.

Release
In the United States and Canada, The Killing Grin was released on April 24, 2022

Reception
Box Office

The Killing Grin Was a Box office hit. Grossing $467 million in the United States and Canada and $454 million in other territories for a worldwide gross of $921 million dollars becoming the highest-grossing slasher 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 9.4/10 on IMDB, and a 5/5 on Common Sense Media. On Rotten Tomatoes, the critic's consensus reads "The Killing Grin manages to wipe the slate clean for the DCEU by telling a relatable and powerful story with a badass ensemble cast that will keep this movie a memorable achievement." On Metacritic, the film has an average of 95 out of 100, based on 177 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.

Rating
Rated R for "horror violence/bloody images, strong language, and strong sexual content including nudity"

Trivia

 * The film was shot in Newark, New Jersey, the same location that JOKER was filmed in
 * The film was inspired by 90s slasher films and how to incorporate it into the DCEU and into modern times to create the film and the terrifying atmosphere that the film is set in.
 * The film is takes place after 2 years after the events of JOKER, and it is rumored that Joaquin Phoenix could join Margot Robbie in the sequel reprising his role as the joker.
 * The film is intended to start a more grittier and darker DC extended universe called "The DC Black Universe"