Vincent Gallo, Emmanuelle Seigner, Stig Frode Henriksen
A soldier must fight for his own survival as well as the cause of his people in this powerful drama from acclaimed Polish filmmaker Jerzy Skolimowski. A pair of American security operatives (Zach Cohe... read more 
Directed by: Jerzy Skolimowski
DVD Release Date: January 24, 2012
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Flixster Reviews (160)
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April 16, 2012An endurance test, for both the main character and the audience. I didn't care for this film exercise without any real plot, hardly any dialogue, and often glacial pacing. Vincent Gallo deserves recognition for putting himself through the wringer, but I watched this because of ... read more
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March 9, 2012While not immediately involving or interesting, "Essential Killing" is taut and well-directed, and Vincent Gallo is brilliant in his wordless role. The deliberate pace may prove agonizing for some, but I enjoyed "Essential Killing." Sure, it's nothing to write home about, but the... read more
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April 16, 2012A visionary and masterful film. There is a story, it just isn't told in the same stock way. I think the story is a poetically-told and profound one. If you want Rambo and sneer at the idea of an "art film", then skip it. You won't know how to watch it and your commentary will be ... read more
Critic Reviews
May 2, 2011
Richard Brody, New Yorker
April 1, 2011
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail
Stripped of its political vestments, Essential Killing is a chase film almost existential in its rawness and virtually silent in its unfolding -- just a pursued man reduced by circumstance to a primit... Full Review
March 30, 2011
Peter Howell, Toronto Star
View it as an existential thriller illustrating how violence begets violence. Full Review
December 2, 2010
Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times
The movie deftly shifts from its initial chase thriller mode to a grueling, offbeat tale of human survival. Full Review
February 10, 2012
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
What is striking about it, of course, is the way that the filmmaker manages to garner sympathy for an essential villain. Full Review
May 28, 2011
Laura Clifford, Reeling Reviews
On its surface, "Essential Killing" is a chase and survival thriller, but through his protagonist's actions, first in war, then for survival, and ultimately through his ironic ending, Skolimowski coul... Full Review
May 25, 2011
Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews
...a unique film in concept and execution. Brief moments of action are interspersed with Mohammed's struggle to survive the elements, hunger and a pursuing enemy. Full Review
April 28, 2011
Graham Young, Birmingham Post
Although in terms of its core elements, Essential Killing feels as familiar as any standard Hollywood chase movie, from the Bourne and Rambo series to The Fugitive, Skolimowski ensures this is a wholl... Full Review
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Essential Killing
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