To See or Not to See: Kill Your Friends

The British music scene was at its height in the late ’90s—thanks to acts like Oasis, Blur, and Radiohead. But, behind the glitz and glamour, the industry is notoriously cutthroat. Success is often dictated by the fickle taste of the general public. Ruthless A&R man, Steven Stelfox, takes matters into his own hands in Kill Your Friends.

Fueled by greed and ambition, Stelfox is a self-indulgent, anti-hero reminiscent of Patrick Bateman. He’ll go to great lengths to climb the corporate ladder. And, as you may have guessed, that includes killing his colleagues.

Kill Your Friends is intended to be a dark comedy inspired by John Niven’s novel. Niven serves as a screenwriter for the film—transitioning his words and personal experiences for the big screen. With the exception of a few chuckles here and there, I argue the film is more an entertaining, well-paced thriller. We’re witnessing the journey of one of the most unlikable characters in film history. And, waiting for him to be held accountable for his actions.

Nicholas Hoult takes the lead in Kill Your Friends. The role is a departure from what fans may be expecting. But, only an actor with his skill set and caliber could make audiences root for Stelfox. His sharp and haunting delivery of Stelfox’s soliloquies are some of the most memorable moments in the film. Kill Your Friends shows off Hoult’s immense versatility. He’s quickly becoming one of my favorite actors. And, it’s his performance that makes the film worth watching.