Killer Films (USA): 12

Directed and produced by Todd Haynes, The Velvet Underground (2021) is an American documentary that delves into the story of the influential rock band. Haynes was granted access to interviews with surviving members, including founding members John Cale and Maureen Tucker. Filmed in 2018, the documentary also features voiceovers from Doug Yule, who joined the band in 1968. In October 2020, Apple TV+ secured distribution rights for the film. The world premiere took place at the ...

Vox Lux (2018), an American musical drama film, follows the story of a tragic incident in early January 2000. Cullen Active enters his school in Staten Island and shoots his teacher and classmates before taking his own life. Amidst the chaos, 13-year-old Celeste Montgomery calmly speaks to Cullen and offers to pray with him. Despite her efforts, the shooting results in multiple casualties and Celeste herself is injured. As she recovers, she turns to music for solace and begins writing songs with her older sister Eleanor. During an event honoring the victims, Celeste performs one of their original pieces titled ‘Wrapped Up’. The song receives instant ...

In 2017, Todd Haynes brought to life Wonderstruck (2017), an American mystery drama adapted from Brian Selznick’s 2011 novel of the same title. Christine Vachon produced the film under her Killer Films banner and had enlisted Haynes as director by May 2015. As someone who typically works on period pieces, Haynes found the double-period concept of Wonderstruck, set in both the 1920s and 1970s, particularly intriguing. He also saw it as a classic mystery that ...

Beatriz at Dinner (2017) is a comedy drama film directed by Miguel Arteta from a screenplay by Mike White. The movie follows the story of a Hispanic woman in her late forties, who begins her day with an unusual dream – she’s in a rowboat in a mangrove swamp, and spots a little white goat on the shore. After waking up, Beatriz tends to her two dogs and another brown goat that she keeps in her bedroom, reminding them to keep quiet. She then proceeds to prepare for the day ahead, meditating and lighting candles at an altar adorned with photos of a man and the ...

Carol (2015) is a touching romantic drama set in the past and directed by Todd Haynes. The film, based on acclaimed author Patricia Highsmith’s novel The Price of Salt, features a screenplay written by Phyllis Nagy. It takes place during the holiday season of 1952 and follows the story of Therese Belivet, an aspiring photographer who works at Frankenberg’s department store in New York City. One day, while working at the store, Therese meets Carol Aird – a strikingly beautiful woman in search of a ...

Mildred Pierce (2011), a period drama miniseries on HBO created by Todd Haynes, is based on James M. Cain’s 1941 novel of the same name. The show centers around Mildred, a divorced woman struggling to open a restaurant during the Great Depression while also dealing with her self-absorbed daughter. This adaptation follows the original 1945 film noir featuring Joan Crawford and is accompanied by an original score from Carter Burwell. Airing from March 27 to April 10, ...

Directed by Todd Haynes and co-written by Haynes and Oren Moverman, I’m Not There (2007) is a musical drama film that utilizes a nonlinear narrative, interweaving the stories of six characters who each represent a different aspect of Bob Dylan’s public persona. These personas include poet (Arthur Rimbaud), prophet (Jack Rollins/Father John), outlaw (Billy McCarty), fake (Woody Guthrie), ‘rock and roll martyr’ (Jude Quinn), and ‘star of electricity’ (Robbie Clark). According to production ...

Far from Heaven (2002) is a historical romantic drama film written and directed by Todd Haynes. Set in 1957 suburban Connecticut, Cathy Whitaker embodies the ideal wife, mother, and homemaker. Her husband, Frank, holds an executive position at Magnatech, a television advertising company. However, one evening, Cathy receives a call from the local police station informing her that Frank has been detained. Despite Frank’s claims of a misunderstanding, it becomes clear that he has been frequenting gay bars in Hartford. Amidst the turmoil, Cathy encounters Raymond Deagan in her yard – the son of her late gardener ...

Boys Don’t Cry (1999) is an American biographical film directed by Kimberly Peirce, and co-written by Peirce and Andy Bienen. The movie follows the story of Brandon Teena, a young transgender man, who faces numerous challenges due to his identity. After being discovered as transgender by a former girlfriend’s brother, Brandon receives death threats and is forced to leave his cousin’s trailer in Falls City, Nebraska. He befriends ex-convicts John Lotter and Tom Nissen, along with their friends Candace and ...

Velvet Goldmine (1998), a musical drama film written and directed by Todd Haynes from a story by Haynes and James Lyons, follows British journalist Arthur Stuart as he delves into the mysterious withdrawal of 1970s glam rock icon Brian Slade. Stuart interviews those involved in Slade’s career, each recalling their experiences which become a vignette for that particular segment of Slade’s life. Along with exploring the vibrant rock shows, fashion, and journalism of 1970s Britain, the film also touches on ...

Safe (1995) is an American psychological horror film written and directed by Todd Haynes and starring Julianne Moore. Carol White is a housewife in an affluent Los Angeles suburb. She fills her days with activities such as gardening, aerobics, and socializing with friends. Despite appearances of stability, her marriage and family life lack passion and her friends keep their distance. After the renovation of her home, Carol begins to experience physical ailments in ordinary situations: uncontrollable coughing from nearby exhaust fumes while driving, difficulty breathing at ...

Poison (1991) is an American science fiction drama horror film, written and directed by Todd Haynes. With three intercut narratives that draw inspiration from the novels of Jean Genet, the movie showcases an emerging ‘queer new wave’ in cinema. The closing credits reveal the names of the three interconnected stories featured in the film. 1. Hero. A news segment in the style of a 1980s tabloid television magazine showcases a seven-year-old who shoots his abusive father before taking flight.