Episode 86: The Killing (1956)

I revisit Stanley Kubrick’s The Killing (1956), a tightly constructed crime thriller that shows the early signs of the filmmaker he would become.

Following a meticulously planned racetrack robbery, the film unfolds with a precision and efficiency that feels years ahead of its time. With its documentary-like narration, sharp structure and cynical view of human nature, it’s a fascinating look at Kubrick before the more recognisable style that emerged in his later classics.

Featuring a terrific performance from Sterling Hayden and a memorable collection of flawed, desperate characters, The Killing is a lean, suspenseful noir about greed, betrayal and how quickly the best-laid plans can fall apart.