Philippe Lacôte’s Killer Heat offers familiar mystery beats with a standout performance from Joseph Gordon-Levitt in an otherwise uneven thriller.
Director: Philippe Lacôte
Genre: Crime Thriller, Drama, Mystery, Romance
Run Time: 95′
Release Date: September 26, 2024
Where to watch: globally on Prime Video
On a remote Greek island, twin brothers Leo and Elias Vardakis (both played by Richard Madden, of Eternals) find themselves in a violent love triangle. When Leo, one of the twins, is mysteriously murdered, detective Nick Bali (Joseph Gordon-Levitt, of 7500), also known as “The Jealousy Man,” is called in to investigate. As Nick delves into the case, his own dark past, marked by jealousy and suspicion, begins to surface.
Adapted by Roberto Bentivegna and Matt Charman from Jo Nesbø’s “The Jealousy Man”, and directed by Philippe Lacôte, Killer Heat aims to explore the destructive nature of jealousy. The film sets up an intriguing murder mystery against the visually stunning backdrop of a Greek island, but despite this potential, it falls into familiar patterns, never fully capitalizing on its theme.
At the heart of Killer Heat is the idea that jealousy can distort relationships and lead to tragic outcomes, but this theme is explored with mixed results. While the film attempts to parallel the murder mystery with Nick Bali’s personal story, the execution falls short. Nick’s obsessive jealousy over his wife’s affair destroyed his marriage and continues to haunt him, but this internal struggle rarely influences how he approaches the murder case. The investigation unfolds independently, as Nick’s personal issues are only explored in isolated flashbacks, rather than being used to shape his decisions or relationships with the suspects. As a result, his backstory feels like an afterthought, disconnected from the main narrative, which undermines both the mystery and his character arc.
Shailene Woodley plays Penelope, Leo’s wife; her character is similarly underdeveloped. In a key scene near the film’s conclusion, she confesses to feeling trapped in her marriage, but the dialogue fails to match the gravity of her emotional struggle. There’s a moment where she reacts to Leonides’ murder, expressing guilt and sorrow, yet it doesn’t land with the weight it should have had. Her character feels underutilized, and despite Woodley’s efforts, the emotional stakes in the love triangle fall flat.
One of the film’s most frustrating aspects is its reliance on narration. There’s a scene where Nick questions one of the suspects, and as the camera lingers on their nervous expression, the narration awkwardly reiterates what’s already clear from the visuals: they’re hiding something. Moments like this detract from the mystery’s tension, making the narration feel more like a crutch than an enhancement.
Predictability also plagues Killer Heat. Early on, a scene where a “certain person” behaves suspiciously makes it glaringly obvious who the killer is. Instead of building suspense, the film tips its hand too soon, leaving little room for surprise. For a murder mystery, maintaining intrigue is crucial, but the movie’s formulaic approach undermines any potential twists. The final reveal, while fitting with the theme of jealousy, feels inevitable rather than shocking.
Despite these issues, Joseph Gordon-Levitt delivers a commendable performance as Nick Bali. In one standout scene, Nick confronts Elias, his voice simmering with intensity as he warns him about the consequences of jealousy. Gordon-Levitt brings a sense of depth and commitment to a character that the script otherwise fails to fully flesh out. His portrayal captures the obsessive, hollowed-out nature of a man consumed by jealousy, even as the film around him struggles to maintain the same emotional weight.
Visually, Killer Heat benefits from its stunning Greek island setting. There’s a particularly beautiful scene where the camera pans over the sun-drenched coastline, contrasting the scenic beauty with the dark, violent events unfolding below. However, this visual appeal only underscores the movie’s narrative shortcomings, as the story never reaches the emotional or suspenseful heights it aspires to.
By the time the conclusion arrives, Killer Heat‘s message on the dangers of jealousy is overshadowed by its predictable plot. The tragic outcome, though thematically appropriate, lacks the emotional impact necessary to leave a lasting impression.
In the end, Killer Heat offers an intriguing premise and a strong performance from Joseph Gordon-Levitt, but its disjointed structure, underdeveloped characters, and lack of suspense hold it back. While the film’s exploration of jealousy has potential, it never quite delivers the heat it promises.
Killer Heat is now available to watch on digital and on demand.
