It would appear that Matthew McConaughey is turning his back on the romcoms that made him a mint and going back to being an interesting actor. McConaughey is in the midst of a string of solid titles - with nary a romance to be found - the latest of which is William Friedkin's upcoming Killer Joe.
A first clip from the film has arrived online and while it feels to me very much like a work in progress still - listen with headphones on and you can hear the audio levels bouncing around - but the performances are very strong. Take a look below."Killer Joe" is a screenplay from Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award writer Tracy Letts; about a detective in Dallas who is also a hired killer. Directed by Academy Award Winner William Friedkin.
When 22 year-old drug dealer Chris (Hirsch) has his stash of drugs stolen from him by his mother, he has to come up with six-thousand dollars quick, or he's dead. Desperate, he goes to the trailer-park to see his father, Ansel (Hayden Church), and he lays out the plan. Chris's mother, who everyone hates, has a life insurance policy that would clear up his debt and make them all rich. The problem is that Chris' mother is very much alive.
Enter Detective "Killer" Joe Cooper, a hired hit man with the manners of a Southern gentleman, who will do the job - for an upfront fee, that Chris and Ansel can't pay. Just as Joe is about to leave, he spots Dottie (Temple), Chris' innocent younger sister. Joe makes Chris an offer, he'll keep Dottie as sexual collateral until the money is collected and his fee can be paid. Chris reluctantly puts his debt ahead of his sister and agrees to Joe's demand.
As the days pass, Chris watches Joe with Dottie and he regrets his decision. He asks Joe to call the whole thing off, but it's too late, the job is already done. Feeling like it's almost over, Chris giddily attends the meeting with the lawyer to discuss the insurance payments. When he realizes that his mother's boyfriend is the sole beneficiary and not Dottie, Chris knows he's been duped.
When Joe comes to collect and discovers there's no money, he uses his detective skills to get to the bloody bottom and everyone pays the price.