Natural Born Killers, released in 1994, directed by Oliver Stone, is a highly controversial film that presents a frenetic, bloody portrayal of mass murder and the mass media.
Critics and audiences were divided over its mix of extreme violence and bitter cultural satire.
The film revolves around Mickey and Mallory, portrayed by Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis respectively, who embark on a gory killing spree that captivates the sensation-hungry tabloid media.
Their notoriety is fueled by newsman Wayne Gale, played by Robert Downey, Jr., who reports on their actions for his show, American Maniacs. The film’s hyperkinetic cinematography mirrors the psychosis of the killers and the media-saturated culture.
The extreme violence in the film sparked fierce debate, with some accusing it of glorifying murderers and potentially inciting copy-cat killings, while others argued that it critiques media obsession with violence and satirizes a celebrity-obsessed society.
Natural Born Killers is known for its shock tactics, chaotic approach, and disturbing subject matter, and it continues to provoke discussions about the modern American landscape.
