WΔZ
| WΔZ | |
|---|---|
 British theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Tom Shankland |
| Written by | Clive Bradley |
| Produced by | Allan Niblo James Richardson |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Morten Søborg |
| Edited by | Tim Murrell |
| Music by | David Julyan |
| Distributed by | Vertigo Films |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 104 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Budget | £5 million ($10 million) |
WΔZ (pronounced double-u delta zed), is a 2007
Plot
Set against the backdrop of a dark and rain-soaked New York, "WΔZ" follows the investigative efforts of Detective Eddie Argo (portrayed by Stellan Skarsgård) and his newly assigned partner Helen Westcott (played by Melissa George). Together, they embark on a journey to solve a series of gruesome murders that have gripped the city.[1]
The modus operandi of the perpetrator involves carving the Price equation (wΔz = Cov (w,z) = βwzVz) onto the chests of each victim, presenting a cryptic puzzle for the detectives to unravel. As Eddie Argo and Helen Westcott delve into the intricacies of this enigmatic equation, a chilling revelation emerges – each victim is confronted with a moral dilemma, a choice between committing a heinous act by killing their loved ones or facing their own demise.[2]
The detectives soon discern that the perpetrator (played by Selma Blair), driven by a profound personal tragedy, is grappling with a similar predicament. The motive behind the murders becomes a exploration of existential philosophy, as the perpetrator seeks to reconcile their own anguish by compelling others to confront the same ethical quandary.[1]
As the investigation unfolds, the line between right and wrong blurs, and the characters are confronted with the stark realities of human nature. "WΔZ" weaves a suspenseful narrative that delves into the depths of moral ambiguity and the psychological toll of profound loss.[1]
Cast
- Stellan Skarsgård as Eddie Argo
- Melissa George as Helen Westcott
- Selma Blair as Jean Lerner
- Tom Hardy as Pierre Jackson
- Ashley Walters as Daniel Leone
- Paul Kaye as Gelb
- Michael Wildman as O'Hare
- Sally Hawkins as Elly Carpenter
- Michael Liebman as Wesley Smith
- John Sharian as Jack Corelli
- Alibe Parsons as Miss Allaway
- Sean Brian Chipango as Jamal Osman / Khaled Osman
- Barbara Adair as Alice Jackson
- Lauren Hood as Sharon Williams
- Sheila Kerr as Alison Lerner
- Joshua O'Gorman as Dominic Carpenter
- Robert Phillips as Captain Maclean
- Marcus Valentine as Hassan Harbi
- Peter Ballance as Trucker
- Igor Smiljevic as SWAT leader
- Larry Cowan as Junkie
- Laurence Doherty as NY Detective
- Roy McManus as Paramedic
Release and reception
The film received generally positive reviews. Review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a score of 71% based on reviews from 14 critics.[3]
CHUD.com wrote of the film, "Director Tom Shankland paints a grimy portrait that fits well with the Clive Bradley script. It is a great debut for both filmmakers who created a movie that works on almost every level."[4]
Fortean Times wrote, "While the plot twists rarely come as a surprise, the film's grimy feel and effective pacing, and a gripping – if occasionally rather over-exaggerated – central performance by Skarsgård, make this a genuinely thrilling venture into Se7en territory, despite the unfortunate silliness of the title."[2]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d Jason Buchanan (2012). "The Killing Gene overview". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012.
- ^ a b "The Killing Gene". film reviews. Forteantimes.com.
- ^ "Waz - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. 28 September 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
- ^ "The Killing Gene unrated". DVD review. Chud.com.
- ^ "The Killing Gene unrated". DVD review. DVD Talk.
External links
- Official website
- WΔZ at IMDb
- WΔZ at AllMovie
