Brad Pitt Has Never Been More Terrifying Than He Was in This Violent Thriller Collider

The big picture

• That of Dominique Sena
  California
  mixes violence and neo-noir thrills to critique the way American culture glorifies serial killers and death.
• Brad Pitt’s chilling portrayal of a psychopathic Southern killer is a standout ’90s performance.
• The dark and disturbing thriller,
  California
  is a must-see for fans of neo-noir films like
  Se7en
  .

The 90s were rich in the resurrection of horror films and avant-garde neo-noir, and California took the best out of each genre, even allowing Brad Pitt has losing the title of America’s blue-eyed sweetheart in the dark and ominous thriller. The film also features Juliette Lewis in an equally fascinating role, and together they wreak havoc on a sophisticated city-dwelling couple, played by David Duchovny And Michelle Forbes. One of the greatest thrillers of the ’90s, it blends horror and violence to make statements about the way American culture consumes serial killing and death-type entertainment.

It’s an unflinching watch thanks to Pitt’s horrific take on a southern serial killer and Lewis’ devastating performance as his helpless girlfriend. California deserves to be revered alongside other acclaimed thrillers of the decade, like Se7en Or Thesilenceofthelambs. Directed by Dominique Senathe low-budget independent film was ahead of its time and features some of Pitt’s best work he ever put on screen.

What is “California” about?

California stars David Duchovny as novelist Brian Kessler, who plans to write a novel about some of America’s most infamous murder sites, in which serial killers committed their most notorious acts. Considered wacky by most of his friends and colleagues, Brian was clearly ahead of the curve and would fit right in with today’s culture obsessed with true crime podcasts. Michelle Forbes plays his feminist girlfriend and professional photographer, Carrie Laughlin. The couple posted an ad for a carpool, so they could save money while traveling across the country to all the different murder locations. Fortunately or unfortunately for them, real serial killer and his girlfriend respond to ad.

Pitt plays Early, an abusive southern boyfriend, and Lewis plays his naive young girlfriend, Adele. When the pair are picked up to begin their journey, Early has already murdered his owner in cold blood. Carrie is much more observant than Brian and begins to realize that something is seriously wrong with Early. As they continue their journey to their final destination, California, Early begins a violent killing spree along the way. California delivers a slow burn that provokes bursts of violence at all times as Pitt transforms into one of the film’s scariest killers as the film progresses.

Brad Pitt plays a psychopathic Southern serial killer

Every trace of charm that Pitt elicits in one of his classic films is gone. California. Having just been named one of Hollywood’s most promising young stars, he had just played a handsome cowboy in Thelma and Louise, which propelled him to fame. It was a bold move to play such a disgusting and violent man so early in his career after being considered a heartthrob, but it was proof that Pitt was more than just a pretty face. There are too many menacing moments to count for Pitt as he throws his teeth into the role of Early. One of his craziest and scariest moments comes at a gas station where Carrie and Brian ask him to pay because it’s his turn. With no money, he decides to murder a man in a public restroom and rob him. It’s a grueling and violent murder scene, due to Pitt’s sudden outburst which goes against the Early he is showing to the audience. This is one of the most poignant and disturbing scenes in the film. Pitt’s commitment to his role as a psychopath is what makes the film so horrifying and one of the most underrated thrillers of the ’90s. Without his commitment to not romanticizing Early, California wouldn’t have the impact it has as the credits roll.

Roger Ebert gave “Kalifornia” an impressive four stars

While California was far from a box office success, or even a moderate success, it has enjoyed a growing population of fans in recent years. But one of its greatest advocates and enthusiasts was none other than Chicago Sun-Times film critic, Roger Ebert. A harsh critic who refused to follow the rules, despite what his fellow critics said, Ebert gave the film a rave review, focusing particularly on the performances Pitt and Lewis gave as a dysfunctional, lower-class couple. Ebert went so far as to write that these were two of the most haunting performances he had ever seen. Add,

“A lesser film would simply be a thriller in which the protagonists desperately plot to escape the killers in their car. ‘Kalifornia’ is much more subtle than that. It’s about the strange fascination some people have with those who seem tougher and harder. more “authentic.” Usually, those who romanticize in this way have never dealt with someone who hurts others just for the sake of it.

“Kalifornia” is one of the darkest thrillers of the 90s

After the optimism and big hits of the ’80s, Hollywood returned to small, independent films in the ’90s, with lots of low-budget horror films and thrillers. California was one of the first neo-noir films of the decade, with Duchovny providing a somber voiceover as he details the ill-fated journey as the two couples progress on their journey. It shares similar qualities with the David Fincher neo-noir filmSe7enwhich also stars Brad Pitt, but in this case he plays the detective tracking down a serial killer, alongside Morgan Freeman. Both films share a cynical view of the true nature of humanity and constitute two of the darkest films of the decade.

Even while looking California today it has blatant relevance and has aged like a fine wine. Over the past decade, a growing interest in serial killers and murder mystery stories has gained momentum in the public eye. Countless movies and TV shows have romanticized these killers. Recently, Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story and the Zac Efron-directed Extremely wicked, terribly vile and evilin particular, have been criticized. California is well aware of the danger of giving a sympathetic view to serial killers, and the sensationalism of their stories thanks to pop culture’s fascination with them. Ultimately, these should be the stories of the victims, not The killers.

California is currently available to stream on Tubi in the United States

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