The Killing Pact

Moviecut—The Killing Pact

source: The Killing Pact

This is the second movie I've seen pairing writer Brittany Wiscombe with director John Lyde. If their more recent collaboration, 'Scarlett,' felt like the action-thriller equivalent of a Lifetime film, then 'The killing pact' was a more full realization of their association. This IS a Lifetime movie, and from the directness of the writing and the fast pace of the plot, there's no illusions otherwise. The movie wastes no time in introducing its characters or kickstarting the plot. Yet I'm surprised. Not because there are any unexpected twists to the narrative, or especially artful consideration of shots. But because, however minimal, there is a bit of subtlety in its construction that exceeds the average Lifetime production. There's a gathering atmosphere as the film progresses - a measure of suspense, despite the predictable plot, and rising desperation. That may not be much, but it's more than many pictures can claim. For as plain as shots are generally orientated, Lyde does capture a few that are striking with the lighting that's been arranged. There's even some slight depth to 'The killing pact' that was certainly unanticipated: It explores - however briefly and ham-handedly - the difficulty of actually committing a fatal act of violence, however well deserved it is, and the effect that the mere attempt can have on the average person. Moreover, star Emily Rose turns in an admirable performance as protagonist Hayley. Put-upon by her manipulative louse of an ex-husband, Hayley is beset with mounting confusion and alarm, and Rose believably sells it. I wouldn't mind seeing her in other films. Above all - I admit bias; I watched this because of Melanie Stone's involvement, and I'd call myself a fan. But I think Stone's performance as "Melanie" - yes, a character sharing a name with their actor - is the chief highlight of 'The killing pact.' It's genuinely fun watching Stone inhabit a role that is immediately fantastical, but also dark and driven, and increasingly disordered in mentality. There is a steely forcefulness to Stone's portrayal that's honestly riveting, and I think her delivery pristine. The premise is intriguing, if familiar in a way that doesn't quite come to call, and worth a closer look on its own. But I really think Stone's performance is the main reason to watch 'The killing pact.' That holds true even as the climax becomes abruptly and unconvincingly haphazard compared to the greater deftness that characterizes the rest of the movie. If the cast manages to put in some fine performances earlier despite the directness of Wiscombe and Lyde's vision, the writing at the peak of the story forces them into more caricatured, stereotypical depictions. Still, over the top as it is, the climax isn't boorish, but funny, and is still engaging. Don't get me wrong - no one is going to mistake 'The killing pact' for a masterpiece of cinema. While there are aspects of the production that are very noteworthy, the overall bluntness of the narrative and its execution on film paints the feature into a very particular corner of our culture. Lifetime original movies have a particular reputation, and this doesn't dispel that notion. Yet "B" movies aren't the same thing as "bad movies," and dramas or thrillers that are similarly plainspoken deserve the same consideration. Despite low expectations, 'The killing pact' manages to be a step above its contemporaries with some qualities unusual to the style. Ease off your presuppositions, and just enjoy the show.

Wow! One of the most ludicrous stupid idiotic movies I've ever seen. Everyone in this movie were complete idiots. This held my attention, but took me nowhere LOL. I watched this out of curiosity just to see how bad it could get. I, like others who reviewed this, had "the strangers on a train" idea. Not even close. I don't know about you, but first of all I'm not going to open up the two strangers driving my Uber, and I wouldn't take a personal call from my psycho ex husband either while driving my Uber for everyone else to listen to. Nor would I go to a bar with them to discuss eliminating evil people that are working our nerves. My teenage niece and nephew could have wrote a better script and did better acting! The little girl was pretty good she look like she may have been between 10 to 12 years old. She was a good little actress, that star is for her, everyone else... absolute idiots. For the record if you are sent to kill someone to finish the killing pact, make sure the needle with the poison is already in your hand with the top off, don't go in the room where the person you are supposed to kill is laying there napping, stand their over her, open your purse, open your wallet, take the needle out, then take the top off, all for the person to wake up and say who the hell are you,? Yes that's how dumb this movie was. I was hoping they all got taken out, they worked my nerves is that bad.

Dreadful. The leading character Hayley is so ridiculously unemotional and zombie like that it is physically painful. Her daughter has a better range of emotions than she does. I don't know who casted her or how this movie made it out of the production phase but it sucks terribly, mostly because of the lead. The plot was thin but it could've worked with the right cast and better writing. There were definitely some missed opportunities to make it better.

Alfred Hitchcock's classic "Strangers on a Train" took a clever premise and ran with it. A man meets a stranger on the train, who propositions him with the perfect crime. In a fanciful conversation, the stranger brags that he could kill the nemesis of his new acquaintance, and, if the man returns the favor by killing the foe of the stranger, then they will have pulled off the perfect crime, as both will have alibis. In "The Killing Pact," the perfect crime turns into the perfect storm for the protagonist Hayley, who wishes that her lout of an ex-husband were dead. Her partners, new acquaintances she met during a rideshare, bump off the husband and then demand that she carry out her part of the bargain and murder the nasty old aunt of Melanie. And, it turns out that Melanie is not only the mastermind of the killing pact, but is a psycho! Whereas Hitchcock created genuine suspense, the filmmakers of "The Killing Pact" turn the caper into a virtual comedy. Hayley seemed overly passive in acquiescing to the Melanie's plan. Of course, the police are slow in catching on to the killing pact, despite abundant evidence against Melanie. It was not clear if there was a subtle attempt at humor or parody in this film, but the result was indeed a laugher. "The Killing Pact" failed to deliver the essential ingredients of a thriller: complex characters, intriguing plot twists, and, above all, suspense.

This is a lazily made movie. The acting is deadpan most of the time then overacted. The plot is ludicrous. Casual acquaintances jokingly agree to help each other eliminate the problems in their lives. It could have been done better. 2 of the 3 are reluctant with one psycho mastermind who might as well have done her own problem herself. Don't bother.

Horrible movie, ridiculous plot. Wooden lead actress with a resting b face throughout the movie. Don't waste your time on this worthless movie, go see the original instead.

In viewing this film, I expected an updated interpretation of "Strangers on a Train", but I was WAY off. This film appears to have been made by film school students that, unfortunately, we not doing well in the course. The dialog could have been written by a child. The lack of character development supports that theory, and the plot was predictable (yawn). The delivery was amateurish, forced and, in some cases, over the top. The acting teacher had should have been (and no doubt was) ashamed although the 'director' has to share some of the blame for this disaster. Now let me comment on the cinematography: IF it was done on a cell phone (and I suspect it was) then it was not bad, however, if it were done proper movie equipment… wow…. That brings us to the music. The background music was not bad. That is the FIRST time. Now I know that if something works you stick with it, but the composer should have been told that there are more than 8 bars to a piece of music, and repeating them over and over and over and over…well, just gets boring. The weak dialog, cardboard characters, high school drama club acting, poor technical execution and boring score lead me to ask only one question: WHY?

If there is a minus vote this one would get it. Our stupid leading lady in her attempt to solve things thinks only of herself. From the beginning I did not like her. The actress goes through the entire film with this blank look on her face. The evil one also was just as bad. It was like as an actress she was saying "Look how evil I can get". I had no sympathy for anyone, even the daughter who goes around crying and looking like a lost child. I did like the detective He at least had a clue that there was something going on in this death pact. In the final scene I was laughing at all the histrionics they were doing. What made me mad was after the detective was shot our leading lady left him lying there looking for her daughter. Even when all is resolved and there are two wounded people, this idiot leading lady thought only of her daughter who was fine. While two others lay wounded. She didn't even look up at them or go to them for help. What a selfish you-know-what. No sympathy for her as she showed no compassion for anyone.