It looks like LD Entertainment has decided to embrace the NC-17 rating for William Friedkin‘s Killer Joe after appealing the rating only to be denied. As far as why it deserves that rating, I saw this flick at the Toronto Film Festival last year where I remember Gina Gershon is originally introduced with a widescreen view of her naked crotch, Juno Temple has her own bit of nudity and then there’s a bit with a piece of fried chicken that is probably best left to the imagination until you actually see it for yourself.
LD is set to release the film on July 27 and it is also set to play the Seattle Film Festival on June 9 as part of a tribute to Friedkin.
Adapted by Tracy Letts from his stage play, Killer Joe centers on a 22-year-old drug dealer Chris (Emile Hirsch) has his stash stolen by his mother, he has to come up with six thousand dollars quick or he’s dead. Desperate, he turns to “Killer Joe” (Matthew McConaughey) when he finds out that his mother’s life insurance policy is worth $50,000. Although Joe usually demands cash up front, he finds himself willing to bend the rules in exchange for Chris’ attractive younger sister, Dottie (Temple), who will serve as sexual collateral until the money comes in… if it ever does.
The new trailer for the film is featured directly below and you can read my review from Toronto right here.
