KILL LIST GETS SEAL OF APPROVAL AT SXSW (17/03/2011)
Kill List, the latest feature to emerge from low budget feature slate Warp X, wowed the critics when it had its world premiere at SXSW in Austin, Texas on 12th March. A dark and twisted horror film from award-winning director Ben Wheatley (Down Terrace), Kill List tracks an ex-soldier turned contract killer who begins to unravel when he takes on a new assignment. Kill List was filmed at locations across Yorkshire in 2010 with backing from Screen Yorkshire. Further to the success at SXSW, Protagonist has annnounced that Optimum Releasing has taken the UK rights to Kill List following a bidding war between UK distributors. A US deal had already been struck with IFC Midnight.
Brief synopsis
Eight months after a disastrous job in Kiev left him physically and mentally scarred, ex-soldier turned contract killer Jay (Neil Maskell), is pressured by his partner Gal (Michael Smiley), into taking a new assignment. As they descend into the dark, disturbing world of the contract, Jay begins to unravel once again - his fear and paranoia sending him deep into the heart of darkness….
Kill List is produced by Claire Jones & Andy Starke for Warp X / Rook Films with backing from the UK Film Council, Film4 and Screen Yorkshire. Protagonist Pictures are handling international sales. Executive producers Robin Gutch, Katherine Butler, Lizzie Francke, and Hugo Heppell. Warp’s Barry Ryan co-produced.
The cast features Neil Maskell, Michael Smiley, MyAnna Buring and Emma Fryer. Ben Wheatley co-wrote the script with Amy Jump.
“brutally impressive… a challenging and gripping chiller” ScreenDaily
“weird and darkly amusing...progresses from uncomfortable character study to subtly intense crime thriller, and ultimately deep, dark horror” Fearnet.com
“mystery, murder, and flesh-busting madness....rivals the best horror films for sheer tension and terror.” FilmSchoolRejects
“several cuts above its fellow midbudget horror brethren...an effectively twisted piece of work” Variety
