Nicole Kidman stars as vengeful LAPD detective Erin Bell in “Destroyer,” Karyn Kusama’s 2018 neo-noir thriller. Opposite Kidman feature brilliant performances by Sebastian Stan, Jade Pettyjohn, Tatiana Maslany, and Toby Kebbell.
Sixteen years after an undercover case ended in tragedy, guilt-ridden Erin Bell (Kidman) must work her way through former gang members and her own history to get revenge on the people who destroyed her past. All these she does while trying to reconcile with her out-of-control daughter (Pettyjohn).
Kidman is a tour de force in the lead role. Appearing unrecognizable in the lead role, she becomes the character both visually and physically. She completely embodies the disgruntled detective and gives a raw, sensational take on the role. Alongside Kidman are Sebastian Stan as Chris, Erin’s company in infiltrating the gang; and Toby Kebbell as the sociopathic leader of the said gang. Despite his brilliant performance, however, Kebbell’s Yorkshire accent can’t help but leak through at times. The chemistry between Kidman and Stan is amazing; with Stan’s performance as undercover FBI agent Chris being both hard-headed and emotional.
Kusama does a great job making sure that she shows everything in the film in equal balance, allowing nothing to overpower the dominant themes of revenge and reconciliation. She uses both closeups and realistic action sequences that add tension and keep the viewer engaged. As for the visuals, makeup artist Bill Corso does an incredible job transforming these characters into looking like they’ve aged 16 years. Detective Bell’s once healthy, brown locks become a messy, mousey frizz atop her head; and her bright eyes have become shadowed, sunken orbs.
Nicole Kidman from a scene in Karyn Kusama’s “Destroyer.” 2018: Annapurna Pictures.
How “Destroyer” Tackles Vengeance—and Parenting
Despite being a well-shot film about vengeance, “Destroyer” is a film that also deals with a reconciliation between a mother and her daughter. Pettyjohn plays Erin’s daughter Shelby who, without her mother, has gone on an increasingly worrying decline into recklessness. Their complex relationship explores both the intricacy of parenting and the effects of an absent parent to a child.
As a narrative device, Kusama uses memory and flashbacks as a way to add depth to the film. In one such particular scene, we see a young Shelby on her mother’s back as they walk through a snowstorm. Shelby says she remembers her mother wearing a pair of old, worn sneakers; something that shows Erin’s parenting as she protects young Shelby from the snow while putting herself at risk.
The film’s closing sequence is a mix between Erin sitting in her car resting, and an emotional montage that feels incredibly poetic. Truth be told, it’s a complete contrast from the rest of the grueling affair. This montage abruptly ends when one of the children playing behind Erin’s car lands a skateboard flip. Not only does the sound echo a gunshot; the skateboard landing is enough subtext for the audience to know the cost Erin has to pay from the events she underwent earlier in the film.
Nicole Kidman and Sebastian Stan from a scene in Karyn Kusama’s “Destroyer.” 2018: Annapurna Pictures.
A Potent Film Elevated by Nicole Kidman’s Performance
Kidman’s lack of recognition for her role was one of the most notable things about the film’s reception. While she was nominated for a Golden Globe, she was overlooked by many other award-giving bodies. On the other hand, Kusama emerging from ‘movie jail’ probably didn’t boost the film’s popularity. At the end of its run, “Destroyer” grossed a mere $5.6 million despite its $9-12.4 million budget.
If the idea of a bank-robbing syndicate excites you, then you should check out John Hillcoat’s thriller “Triple 9.” But if the more sentimental side of “Destroyer” appealed to you, then the 2018 vigilante thriller “Peppermint” by Pierre Morel should be on your radar.
“Destroyer” is a layered, intense film that features sensational performances, breathtaking cinematography, and incredible makeup and hairstyling. But despite its visual flair, the film’s confusing ending leaves viewers feeling wanting and confused. Having that said; Karyn Kusama’s first feature film since the horror “The Invitation” is a visual triumph that gives Nicole Kidman a chance to once again show off her talent.
