Mikes Film Talk

The 2024 movie The Charisma Killers serves up the iconic Australian actor Vernon Wells as an “old man killer.” * In my head this was sung to the tune of “Old Man River and every time Wells was on screen this ran through my head. So much so that I decided to mention the fact in the opening paragraph of my review.*

The Story

The Charisma Killers has a leader, Wells, who is simply known as “The Old Man.” His days are suddenly numbered and he calls on his personal gang of killers to do one final job. The Old Man wants a last act of revenge.

A big one.

The pay off is that the survivors get to share a lifetime of riches.

Behind the scenes

Michael Matteo Rossi writes and directs The Charisma Killers and it has a sort of “The Wild Bunch” vibe to it. Similar to the iconic Sam Peckinpah western, we have a gang set up to perform one last job for their leader. Rossi’s film may not have the same tone, but in its nature at least, it has a kindred relationship to the 1967 western.

It also owes much to those glib movies where all the cast characters are unique and have clever nicknames. In The Charisma Killers each name indicates the killer’s speciality.

Fabian Montes-Sanchez performed his duties as Cinematographer and film editor well. Nothing was out of place and nothing jarred. In short, the film looked good.

Jason Scott Jenkins and Paul Logan as Stunt Coordinator and Stunt Choreographer respectively give us plenty of up close and personal action to enjoy. Both Jenkins and Logan also did double duty as main characters in The Charisma Killers as “One Hit” Hustle and Psycho; also respectively.

The stunts and the VFX

Some of the larger fight sequences were “choppy” but worked nonetheless. What appeared to be clear misses could just as easily been realistic dodges. Regardless, the fights moved well and were rapidly paced.

The VFX, in particular, the gunfire, et al, looked good. Kudos to Forest Meadows; who played “1911.” Each time he fired a weapon there was recoil. Not a lot, but at least enough to convince us that he was firing a “real” gun. This is something that most actors have a problem with. Especially ones who have not fired a real gun themselves.

*In fact, the only real complaint I had with The Charisma Killers in the final gunfight scene was that no one seemed to reload. This infinite supply of ammunition was handy but took away from the overall experience.*

The Main Cast

Vernon Wells is The Old Man

Vanessa Angel is Angel

Marnette Patterson is Rope

Jackie Moore is Katana

Daniel O’Reilly is Lone

Chris Moss is Fowler Jr

*Michael Matteo Rossi has a cameo as “Charlese’s Husband”*

It works

The Charisma Killers, with a runtime of one hour and 41 minutes, does not drag. It is a rapid tale dispensed with admirable pacing. Wells, a personal favourite, gives a restrained performance here. The scenery chewing that he is famous for has been handed over to Paul Logan as Psycho.

Wells also narrates the feature, for a good portion of the film, and that restraint is appreciated and works to the movie’s advantage.

*In fact, Logan’s performance is so over the top that it borders on parody. But, doggone, it works. Although I have to admit that I did miss Wells’ usual delivery. Regardless, he still commands any scene he is in. *

Daniel O’Reilly and the rest of the cast in this action ensemble give us a bunch of killers who entertain capably. As stated above, the VFX and the stunts also help the movie deliver.

The Verdict

The Charisma Killers is a solid 3.75 star action film. The movie releases November 1, tomorrow, and will be available on most streaming platforms. Apple TV, Google Play, XBox, Fandango at home, et al. Check it out and see what you think.

I enjoyed the heck out of it.

Keep an eye out for Rossi, he is one to watch.

The trailer