The Killing of a Sacred Deer

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Quick Verdict:

The Killing of a Sacred Deer is cold, strange, and deeply uncomfortable in a way few horror movies achieve. Fans of slow psychological horror and dark arthouse films will probably love its tension and bizarre tone.
Movie Info:
Rating: R
Subgenre: Psychological
Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
Writers: Yorgos Lanthimos. Efthimis Filippou
Release Date: October 20, 2017
Runtime: 121 Minutes

Cast:

  • Colin Farrell
  • Nicole Kidman
  • Barry Keoghan
  • Raffey Cassidy
  • Sunny Suljic
Intro:
Some horror movies rely on monsters or gore. The Killing of a Sacred Deer creates fear through awkward conversations, emotional pressure, and complete loss of control. Meanwhile, the movie keeps getting stranger as the tension slowly builds.
Synopsis:
Steven Murphy is a successful heart surgeon with a seemingly perfect family life. However, he begins spending time with a teenage boy named Martin, whose connection to Steven slowly becomes more troubling.

Soon, Steven’s family experiences a horrifying and unexplained illness. As the situation worsens, Martin reveals a brutal ultimatum that forces Steven into an impossible decision. The movie then turns into a slow psychological nightmare built around guilt, punishment, and fear.

Summary:
What Works
The performances are incredible, especially from Barry Keoghan. His calm delivery and emotionless stare make every scene feel uncomfortable. Meanwhile, Colin Farrell plays Steven as a man slowly falling apart under pressure.

The movie’s dialogue also deserves attention. People speak in a flat, unnatural way that feels oddly robotic. At first, it seems awkward. However, that style slowly creates a detached and unsettling mood that fits the story perfectly.

Visually, the movie feels cold and clinical. Long hallway shots and slow camera movements make the hospital and family home feel lifeless. The soundtrack also adds a constant feeling of dread. Sudden bursts of loud music hit hard because the movie spends so much time in silence.

One scene horror fans will remember involves a spinning blindfold game near the ending. The moment feels absurd at first, yet it becomes deeply disturbing because of the emotional stakes behind it.

What Doesn’t Work
The strange dialogue and slow pacing will frustrate some viewers. Also, the movie refuses to explain everything clearly, which may leave certain audiences disconnected from the story. Fans expecting traditional scares may struggle with its arthouse style.
Final THoughts
The Killing of a Sacred Deer stands out because it mixes psychological horror with dark family drama in a very unusual way. Fans of movies like Hereditary or Funny Games will probably appreciate its slow-burn tension and emotional cruelty. The Psychological category fits best because the movie focuses almost entirely on guilt, fear, manipulation, and emotional collapse rather than physical horror.
Trailer:
Photo Gallery:

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