Natural Born Killers (1994)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Bob S

  
  I've seen it but I've never REALLY seen it.

• John M

  
  A thrill ride of emotion and action. Just great flick with over the top acting from Harrelson.

• moon r

  
  The future will be televised ... Stone's filmic commentary on America and Americans (WAKE UP!!!) is no whisper (nearly impotent with all the screaming) and definitely not for everyone (although I think it was meant for everyone), filled with ultra-violence and psychedelic… More
  The future will be televised ... Stone's filmic commentary on America and Americans (WAKE UP!!!) is no whisper (nearly impotent with all the screaming) and definitely not for everyone (although I think it was meant for everyone), filled with ultra-violence and psychedelic imagery. "Entertaining, yes, but what do you think about it," in spades, with a healthy dollop of self-loathing on the side

• Graham J

  
  This surreal masterpiece started out with a ultraviolent but more funny and less terrifying script written by Quentin Tarantino. But in the hands of Oliver Stone, it turned into a hallucinogenic joyride through hell. Though it would've been interesting to see how Tarantino would… More
  This surreal masterpiece started out with a ultraviolent but more funny and less terrifying script written by Quentin Tarantino. But in the hands of Oliver Stone, it turned into a hallucinogenic joyride through hell. Though it would've been interesting to see how Tarantino would have directed it, I truly love (and fear) the menacing nature in which Stone put together the pieces.

• Melvin W

  
  Mickey: The media is like the weather, only it's man-made weather.  "The Media Made Them Superstars." Oliver Stone went way over the top to make his point with Natural Born Killers and I believe it worked. This experience is unlike any other film experience you have… More
  Mickey: The media is like the weather, only it's man-made weather.  "The Media Made Them Superstars." Oliver Stone went way over the top to make his point with Natural Born Killers and I believe it worked. This experience is unlike any other film experience you have had. Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis bring Mickey and Mallory to life in such a way where it is hard to not cheer for them, and I assume that was the point. We always make the serial killers and the mass murders celebrities. We may not think of that way, but we do.  Until killers are caught in America, we read about them in newspaper, magazines and we hear about them on tv. Then they are caught, but it doesn't die there. We then watch their trial, talk about their body language, listen to interviews. Then they are sent to prison, but it still isn't done with. Then we have books written about them, movies made about them; television news programs go and do specials on the killer. It never ends until the killer dies, and even then they live on, like Elvis. And why? Because it is entertaining. Never have I been more aware of that then when watching Natural Born Killers.  That is pretty much what Natural Born Killers is getting at. Stone shows random things like hippies talking about how great Mickey and Mallory are. He shows us magazines with Mickeys face on the front cover. Killers are sold to us and we keep buying. Then there is the television show that turns them into full fledged stars and want to make television history by exploiting their story. This has all happened and it continues to happen. Now I personally don't care if serial killers are getting a large amount of press. It's a natural human tendency to be entertained by violence. Throughout history, violence has always sold. It doesn't matter what time period you lived in or where you lived; violence was always talked about, written about or nowadays shown on television and in movies. That's never going to change. So as the saying goes, "If you can't beat em, join em."

• Tim S

  
  Oliver Stone's frenetic and frenzied Natural Born Killers has always been a film I've been quite fascinated by. The performances from everyone are stellar and over the top, the various styles of shooting and cutting are all over the place but still manage to find a singular… More
  Oliver Stone's frenetic and frenzied Natural Born Killers has always been a film I've been quite fascinated by. The performances from everyone are stellar and over the top, the various styles of shooting and cutting are all over the place but still manage to find a singular narrative and the symbolism in the storytelling is what you'd expect from Stone's work. Somehow it all works without being perfect. The ultra violent director's cut is a much better film in comparison to the theatrical version and I prefer it much more. There are some moments in the film where it loses a bit of its focus and also becomes too symbolic to the point of almost being pretentious, but you can't deny its power or mystique.

• Daniel L

  
  A very strange film indeed. The film is mixed with detestable violence and suggestive material that is definitely not for everyone. Though this film does standout as a landmark in the industry due to the many medias it uses, everything from 35mm and Super 8, to black and white and… More
  A very strange film indeed. The film is mixed with detestable violence and suggestive material that is definitely not for everyone. Though this film does standout as a landmark in the industry due to the many medias it uses, everything from 35mm and Super 8, to black and white and animation. All the actors give stirring and over the top performances that are very amusing. Though it is a controversial and strange film, it is very unique.

• Richard C

  
  I really liked this movie. It was entertaining and makes a good point about society and how they crave violence. It was also original and really funny. Grade: B+

• Film C

  
  I strangely enjoyed this movie. I thought it was directed beautifully so well done to Oliver Stone, as this movie is very visually stunning and i found it very interesting to see the different contrasts of colour. I must say Tommy Lee Jones was by far the best thing about this… More
  I strangely enjoyed this movie. I thought it was directed beautifully so well done to Oliver Stone, as this movie is very visually stunning and i found it very interesting to see the different contrasts of colour. I must say Tommy Lee Jones was by far the best thing about this movie, he really (for me anyway) stole the show. His psychotic, crazed wardon was hilarious and just acted really well. It is a good violent action packed movie but some people may find it to weird (visually) to be able to like this movie. Although the storyline was a bit rubbish it was very entertaining to watch.

• Dan S

  
  A nasty, nihilistic, cracked-out mess of a movie, where director Oliver Stone leaves subtlety at the door and instead elects for a "Looney Toons" version of a couple of killers (Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis) and how they are glorified by the media during their rampant… More
  A nasty, nihilistic, cracked-out mess of a movie, where director Oliver Stone leaves subtlety at the door and instead elects for a "Looney Toons" version of a couple of killers (Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis) and how they are glorified by the media during their rampant killing spree. This is just a headache of a motion picture, with ridiculous performances all-around, all with Stone wanting his audience to consider the serious message he's sending out that these people should not be covered and romanticized by any means. However, if you make a movie about, well, romanticizing two abhorrent individuals, I guess that's different, right Mr. Stone? By far one of the worst movies I've seen, and one that should make you feel like wanting to take a shower after you watch it.

• Sophie B

  
  This film must have either been very well thought out and I've missed all their implications or they just threw a load of junk together which it looks like. It was a good story with great characters and acting however I feel it could have been toned down a bit and less crazy.

• Jennifer X

  
  I wanted so badly to like it but I seriously couldn't stand it.

• Jeff "

  
  Oliver Stone has always pushed the bar with his film. His films tend to tackle a specific subject, exposing cover ups and other assorted conspiracies. Stone has always pushed the boundaries in including topics that will make people discuss the film afterwards. Natural Born Killers… More
  Oliver Stone has always pushed the bar with his film. His films tend to tackle a specific subject, exposing cover ups and other assorted conspiracies. Stone has always pushed the boundaries in including topics that will make people discuss the film afterwards. Natural Born Killers takes a look at the violence in the media and sensationalism that the media uses to raise the bar on some cases where killers and other assorted felons are almost viewed by heroes by the public. Of all Oliver Stone's Natural Born Killers is his most eccentric, psychedelic film. Watching this film is like tripping out on some strange drugs. I enjoyed the film because it takes a crack at something quite important. Unfortunately, people were influenced (in the wrong way) by this film. there was a string of copy cat killers who were directly influenced by this film. Both Columbine shooters were also influenced by this film. Of course when the media got a hold of the Columbine shooting, they went nuts. Just like the killers were rampaging across the U.S and every media outlet was looking to get the scoop. That just shows the point that NBK was trying to make even further. Natural Born Killers is a raw, nasty depraved film (in a good way). The cast that Stone has assembled here do a fine job, Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis are simply chilling in their portrayal in the two fugitives on a killing spree. The film could have been better, but I think the point that this film tries to make gets across and despite the flaws, Natural Born Killers is a ride into madness that you won't easily forget.

• Lady D

  
  The once banned and controversial film Directed by Oliver Stone is nothing short of a memorable Cult Classic of the 90's, heavily influenced by the post Tarantino style filming and storytelling and extreme violence and lack of justice portrayed. Having watched this film… More
  The once banned and controversial film Directed by Oliver Stone is nothing short of a memorable Cult Classic of the 90's, heavily influenced by the post Tarantino style filming and storytelling and extreme violence and lack of justice portrayed. Having watched this film countless times, it's a movie I could never get bored of. I enjoy Woody Harrelson as an Actor, but I could never have thought he could pull off a character like Mickey Knox, which of course he did so well, the chemistry, love and obsession between him and Juliette Lewis aka Mallory Knox was quite something. This film has two parts to it, a 'before' they got caught for their killing spree and an 'after' they got caught. It portrayed a very deep connection between the two main characters, that could not be broken, whether together, seperated or facing death. I love the story that the Shaman tells really sums up the whole film, it's theme and the characters. The Style of the filming is probably something taken for granted now in these style films, but it's still impressive and sets this as a 90's style, for years to look back on. I seem to find something different and new about this film each time I watch it, it's style is very creative, with almost subliminal messaging throughout, non-conventional ways of storytelling, switching visual colours for how things are seen through the killers eyes, the animal/human instinct, the causes behind the story and most probably the biggest part which is the celebrity status these mass murderers attract.

• Conner R

  
  There's no denying that this is one of the most over the top movies ever made. It's essentially the minds of Mickey and Mallory put onscreen, which is psychotic and all over the place. It's almost hard to watch at times, granted, that's the idea. Even though… More
  There's no denying that this is one of the most over the top movies ever made. It's essentially the minds of Mickey and Mallory put onscreen, which is psychotic and all over the place. It's almost hard to watch at times, granted, that's the idea. Even though it's fairly obvious, I really like what this has to say about human nature, not just the media. There's something very true about people loving violence and death. Oliver Stone does everything for a reason and this certainly has a big message.

• Steven C

  
  Oliver Stone's "Natural Born Killers" is a hyper kinetic experience. The visuals are totally intoxicating, surreal and all encompassing. The satire goes far and hits hard and is never really all that wrong, even for today. The performances are committed and fit the… More
  Oliver Stone's "Natural Born Killers" is a hyper kinetic experience. The visuals are totally intoxicating, surreal and all encompassing. The satire goes far and hits hard and is never really all that wrong, even for today. The performances are committed and fit the roles well. The chaotic tone is hard to handle sometimes and also makes it a bit convoluted. The film also fails on an emotional level since none of the characters are relatable and just do really terrible things. Regardless, it certainly a one of a kind viewing experience and one of the most memorable films from the 90s.

• KJ P

  
  Natural Born Killers is unlike anything I have ever seen before, and to be honest, it had my stomach upside down. This film is brutally weird in every way. The style, and executions of this film were off the charts of new age film, but I wildly enjoyed laying my eyes upon them. This… More
  Natural Born Killers is unlike anything I have ever seen before, and to be honest, it had my stomach upside down. This film is brutally weird in every way. The style, and executions of this film were off the charts of new age film, but I wildly enjoyed laying my eyes upon them. This film is very good in it's own way, but it is way too messed up to be called great!

• Thomas B

  
  A good premise for a film and a great way to show the point but a bit overdone. Full review later.

• Alice S

  
  Pretty fun badassery, but the message is too cloudy. I like Mickey's philosophy that murder is pure, but I don't think the filmmakers believed it. Mickey and Mallory have one ethical quandary (regretting killing the Native American man), which seems to hint at an ethical… More
  Pretty fun badassery, but the message is too cloudy. I like Mickey's philosophy that murder is pure, but I don't think the filmmakers believed it. Mickey and Mallory have one ethical quandary (regretting killing the Native American man), which seems to hint at an ethical code - only kill those who do us wrong - but they end up breaking the code...so now what?

• Veronique K

  
  "natural born killers" is oliver stone's anarchic anthem in the 90s, tackling into the subject of adolescent spree-killers as a satirized version of 1973 "badlands" featuring still fresh-faced martin sheen and sissy spacek but the 1970s piece is more like… More
  "natural born killers" is oliver stone's anarchic anthem in the 90s, tackling into the subject of adolescent spree-killers as a satirized version of 1973 "badlands" featuring still fresh-faced martin sheen and sissy spacek but the 1970s piece is more like dirge for the dazed youth when individuality is buried by social conformity as the young couple extend their excessive energy in astray direction while the 90s interpretation is more targeted upon the obsession with fame and celebrity culture induced by the avarice of media. now here comes the turn for woody harrelson and juliette lewis in their prime youth of edginess exploded in a violent tale like "natural born killers" the story goes like this without all those distractive boisterous mtv-montages: mallory comes from an abusive family with her father sexually moistering her since childhood, and then she meets the meat-deliverer mickey to rescue her from her obnoxious father by ferociously killing off the whole family. so they elope and make a pact of eternal bond, seeking their exclusive pleasure by slaughtering off everyone they encounter whenever they feel like it. all of a sudden, they've become the nationally well-known heroic figures against the authority, idols for youngers, and perfect material for a cheesy tv show called "american maniacs"..finally the couple got some fatal snake bite and besieged by police force, so they're sentenced into separate prisons awaiting to get executed. somehow the greedy reporter played robert downey jr. detects a great opportunity to catapult his personal status by interviewing this about-to-be-dead serial murderer, so he has a live interview with mickey, during intervals mickey obtains a chance to kill his way off for survival and re-union with his beloved mallory. in the end, the reporter is slaughtered as the director's metaphoric grudge against this corruptive cultural phenomenon... oliver stone was excellent with those mtv-montages, for example, he sets the episode of mallory in the form of "i love lucy," using 50s sit-com to render the story of a child with a pedophilic father to create a harsher sense of grotesque and to enhance its undercurrent disturbance, a father grabbing his daughter's butt in the background of light-weighted 50s homely melody. or mickey and mallory embrace under the song of edith piar's "life of rose"...numerous examples like that... stone tries to caricature how fame could empower any half-witted hillbilly in this media-manipulated nation called america, and the dialogues contain great contempt for authority and government and how the commoners are thrilled with a deranged form of anarchism represented by outlaws since the days of john dillinger and bonnie and clyde. stone, in this stage of career, does have lots of political concerns to vent in his movies, thus "natural born killers" has become the utmost pinnacle of oliver stone's career as well as woody harrelson and juliette lewis'. the soundtrack has some precious gems like underground all-female punk-band L17, which only existed briefly, their classic song "SHITLIST" which is flowing along with juliette lewis' striptease dancing in the outset sequence, and the camera shot and the spunk fit the this smashing punk anthem so wonderfully that it still lingers over my mind endlessly even after a decade when i firstly "natural born killer" as a teenage. then i start to recall the ballistic juliette lewis in the 90s, in my belief she's the best actress ever to play the troubled and neurotic youth, despite she may not be top-drawer of world-class beauty, but there's an agelessness in her that i consider incredible...who else could do the psycho-bitch so well meanwhile preserve a chic it-girl-ness so un-apolegetically like lewis?...maybe courtney love or patricia arquette, but they seem to be more like tenderized vixens who appear more like the objects of desire, the femme fatale type. unlike lewis who could render an extreme spunkiness blended with a frail naivete. same for woody harrelson who seems perfect for this role, un-replacable. in the 90s, people would critize "natural born killers" as merely sex and violence, but now you see all those pervert slashers made in 2000s like saw and michael bay's texas massacres, "natural born killers" could only be considered cartoonish right now, and oliver stone at least has lots of wits and intelligences upon the subject of violence, such as he uses the interivew of charles manson in mickey's confrontation with the reporter "i kill because it's fate, just like a woolf doesn't know why he's born a woolf and a deer doesn't know why he's born a deer"...now the violence of those 2000s horror pieces are truly more upon the degrading of human impotence without a trace of contemplation upon laws of nature or the course of society or the purpose of humanity. time has proved oliver stone is right and "natural born killers" remains one of the most interesting movies in cinematic history. oh, man, I LOVE THE 90S!

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