The Suicide Theory (2014) User Reviews

Definitely worth watching

[magores · 7/10 · 8 April 2018]

I stumbled across this on Netflix and decided to give it a try.

After watching, I came here. I was surprised to see so few reviews of a film that was actually very good.

This deserves more notice than it appears to have gotten so far.

Interesting premise, well executed

[mgriot · 7/10 · 23 September 2015]

I watched this film knowing nothing about the plot, and the premise got me immediately hooked. A killer gets hired by suicidal man to kill him, as he has a "theory" that he cannot die, and will only be able to die once he does not want to die. The killer man job is to figure out how to kill this man, i.e., how to make him not want to die and then kill him. The killer tries to kill him a couple of times, not believing the theory, but fails, until the hard evidence makes him start to consider the theory.

Once the premise is established, we get to know little by little the background of both protagonists, and discover how they are somehow connected, and poses the questions is everything happening for a reason? Or is it us that we give reason to the inevitable coincidences that occur in our lives? This is done not subtly at all, but it's a good question to be asked.

In the end, we reach a resolution though a series of events that are connected for a reason, or in the other interpretation, through a series of coincidences too strong not to think they were meant to happen.

My only minor criticism is that the "twists" are very predictable, but this is minor, since possibly the intention was not to give a shocking twists, but to show how a series of unlikely connections makes us wander if they are happening for a reason, the main question of the movie.

Quite interesting though not spectacular film, it did leave me thinking a bit, and I enjoyed my time through the darkness of the tone, the character development, and the questions thrown unanswered by the movie.

One to Watch

[angemoore · 8/10 · 22 July 2015]

The Suicide Theory is a film I had been waiting for release and it did not disappoint. I am not into dark Films but this one has really surprised me. The leads Steve Mouzakis and Leon Cain really do make the film work with their characters and chemistry. which kept me intrigued and tuned in on their journey. Director Dru Brown and writer Michael J Kospiah and team really did have a vision with some lovely, creative camera shots. Remembering this is an Independent Australian Feature Film it is well worth seeing and supporting.

Which shows talent and passion pays off. It will be interesting to see What Dru Brown creates in the future if this is anything to go by. Differently one to watch.

Pretty good

[Red_Identity · 10 July 2015]

No doubt the film could use some cleaning around the edges. The film has some truly great writing sprinkled in with some kind of average writing, which makes the whole thing sort of frustrating. But really, it's pretty good. The two leads are really fantastic and they have a lot of chemistry, which would have been the biggest hindering factor if they didn't. They make the film work as well as it does. Mostly, it's just really well-made technically for being an independent film. I really wish that more people find out about it because it deserves to be seen by more people, and I look forward to seeing what the director/writer does in the future. Definitely recommended.

Something different

[jordan2240 · 7/10 · 14 August 2019]

Took a chance on this based on the description on Amazon Prime, even though, more often than not, the synopsis turns out to be terribly inaccurate. In this case, it wasn't totally off-base, and I found the movie interesting throughout. The 'twist' seemed fairly obvious, though I kept wondering when the main characters would figure it out, and I thought the ending was excellent (so many movies seem to end so suddenly, you wonder if the writer just ran out of ideas). Definitely recommend.

SPOILERS: The Suicide Theory Is Not a "By the Numbers" Thriller

[Marc_Action · 7/10 · 25 August 2015]

I saw the first 35 minutes or so of this film while visiting a friend's house; however, I had to leave… I can tell you that those first 35 minutes were so compelling and suspenseful I actually used Google Play for the first time to rent this, as I absolutely had to see the rest. The Suicide Theory did not disappoint – it was worth all of the $3.99 I paid, plus some.

The unique plot finds one of our two main characters, Percival (Leon Cain), deeply depressed over his boyfriend's murder. He tries several times to commit suicide but fails, so he hires a ruthless hit-man, Steven Ray (Steve Mouzakis) to do him in but Steve's attempts also fail. The hit-man can't move on until he finishes the job and so the two eventually develop a bond as our hit-man tries to figure out what it will take to kill Percival. Both men will come to realize that nothing about their encounters is by chance.

The Suicide Theory, as one might guess, is a dark film as it deals with a subject that is taboo. However, the plot is very original and although it deals with serious material, there are surprisingly some very funny instances throughout the film. You wouldn't think you'd laugh at a guy trying to commit suicide or an assassin fudging up the job – but the film was so well written and directed. Michael Kospiah and Dru Brown, director and writer, respectively, did a brilliant job where most other writer/director teams would surely fail. Part of what makes the film work so well is the casting. Cain and Mouzakis were matched perfectly for their roles, and they both work so well together – they practically suck viewers in to their woebegone worlds. You will believe the pain these two feel is real. You will express sympathy for the deep psychological issues both men face as if they are real. This is key to why The Suicide Theory is so good. In the disconnected world of modern cinema – characters are increasingly one-dimensional and cliché, as if writers and directors have no concept of what character development is. Here in The Suicide Theory, it's like back to basic Character Development 101. They get it right.

While I cannot say enough good things about this film, there are a few snags that detract from what should have been a perfect 10 rating... First off: our hit-man. Steven commits brazen murders (or attempted murders) right in public. I hardly think he'd be this "well sought-after" contract killer if he were this sloppy and careless in real life. Police would have nabbed this guy a long time ago with his sloppy killings and assaults. Same goes for the bartender that likes to set up gay patrons for violent, ambush-style robberies for which he is an unmasked participant. Only problem with this is he tends to show back up for work at the same bar after committing these crimes! Not too smart or realistic.

Also, while the concept for the plot is very original – the main twists can be seen a mile away. I figured most of it out long before things were revealed, although there is a The Sixth Sense type twist thrown in there that I absolutely did not see coming. I also thought the dialogue got muddled down in a few spots here and there, but overall the actors kept things engaging enough that these flaws were "almost" a non-factor.

Go rent the movie, you will not be disappointed.

that gritty Aussie edge coupled with a really good premise.

[witster18 · 7/10 · 20 November 2015]

Caught this on Netflix this past Wednesday afternoon and was pleasantly surprised.

"THe SUicide Theory" is a gritty, low-budget thriller about a hit- man who comes into contact with man who wants to be killed. Seems like a match made in heaven right? Wrong. I won't go into the plot much further, but to say that the premise is fresh and exciting is, imo, an under-statement.

The film is far from perfect. The make-up looks pretty bad on a nice 4k TV, and i can't say that I didn't see nearly every plot twist from a mile away, i did.

But the film still delivers. The acting is surprisingly strong. The plot may not be figured-out by everybody either(not that I'm smarter than anybody, the ideas just hit me right at the right time - you know when you catch a plot twist right when it's set-up).

Our lead here in particular is great. His melancholy attitude, along with his cold-heartedness, somehow allows his character to develop and change throughout the film. To me it's these changes that add a certain depth to the film. "The Suicide THeory" does have something to say among all this this violence and macabre. It gets deeper and more thought provoking as it goes.

I can recommend this flick without question, but go-in knowing that the writing is hit and miss, at times fantastic, at others a little lazy, and the production values pull away from some decent direction. BUt the acting, the premise, and what turns out to be quite a roller- coaster ride, makes-up for just about everything else.

I'm not only giving this a passing grade - I'm edging onto the top 25 for 2015(#16 for now, that's 45 movies through the now 88 watchlist - I'd say rt now it's at the projected cut-off) It could hold onto a spot comes next spring, but it will be close. Easily the lowest budget film to make the list so far, and is a shoe-in for my "Jeremy's B Movie Marathon Lists".

You might like this if you liked:"Bringing Out The Dead"(better production values but not better movie), Spiral(similarly low-budget and similar in quality), and Shuffle(slightly better, but probably right there with TST as one of my favorite ultra-low-budget films of the last decade.

It takes a lot for a film of this stature to earn a 7/10 ranking in my book. Let alone make my top 25. Check this one out.

69/100

The Theory

[michaelradny · 7/10 · 16 September 2015]

The Suicide Theory is as dark as the title suggests, but beyond that, this film is well calculated and very deep. Whilst it does suffer from a weak story at times and odd pacing, The Suicide Theory revives itself with it's original, fresh take on the hit-man genre. Whilst I wouldn't call this film an action film, it defiantly borders psychological thriller cross drama, giving you more questions than answers about mortality and the meaning of life.

The Suicide Theory is captivating, good to watch and one film that surprised me a bit. The themes explored in this film may be controversial to some, but ultimately, this film produces one of the most ballsy stories that has ever come on screen.

Exceptional independent film.

[toxiemite · 9/10 · 29 September 2014]

With a provocative name like THE SUICIDE THEORY and little knowledge of its story, I had no idea what to expect from this new independent Australian feature film. Suspecting something gratuitous and/or deeply disturbing I was surprised and relieved to be confronted with a unique and original film, which was dramatic and comical in equal measure. It tells the story of two men who are both dealing with unimaginable grief. One of them (Steven) has harnessed his darkness by becoming a gun-for-hire while the other man (Percival) is desperately suicidal. Percival believes himself to be cursed when no method of suicide actually works and so he employs Steven to kill him. The two men form an unlikely bond when Steven's attempts to kill Percival all fail. The story is complex and to reveal any more would be to ruin it for you. So good is this film that I uncomfortably held in one of the biggest pisses I've ever had to take. I kept waiting for a moment to quickly duck out but the film was so gripping that I couldn't leave. Every beat seemed important and to have left the cinema, even for a moment, would have ruined the film. I am struggling to find any criticisms with THE SUICIDE THEORY aside from the fact that the title may be off putting to many people... however it is a very appropriate title. Director Dru Brown has crafted an amazing looking film with rock-solid performances from every single player. Leo Cain and Steve Mouzakis are fantastic as the two leads and their on screen chemistry is undeniable. Both deliver sincere and outstanding performances. The script is good too and moves from beat to beat without drooping and it keeps the story moving at full steam ahead. The film is shot well, lit well and edited well. It's an accomplished film, which will stick with me for some time. I am already wanting to watch it again and cannot wait to see what good things Dru Brown moves onto from here. This is an exceptional film.

From my website FakeShemp.Net

Interesting

[Michael-Carroll2 · 7/10 · 10 July 2019]

While there are many twists and turns some are pretty easy to see coming, but in the manner that it is served to you is refreshing and intriguing. I knew nothing of the story going in but enjoyed the nuance it provided separating it from what I've found on many of the movies I come across on many of the streaming services.

Almost super cool

[TheHoodOfSwords · 5/10 · 21 August 2020]

Almost really liked this one, compelling first 40 minutes. Hitman is hired to kill their client who mysteriously can't die. As the hitman bonds with his client, they form a deeper friendship while knowing that the hitman must kill his client soon. The first 5 minutes of this reminded me a lot of Mr Robot. The techno tense music combined with the strange and compelling camera work made me want to know what was going to happen next. However, as the movie goes on it loses steam fast. The dialogue feels clunky and the plot twists are laughably obvious.

Great film on many levels

[wem-68365 · 9/10 · 20 September 2015]

Acting is superb and the director tells us so much about the characters with closeups. As in all good thrillers you don't get the full impact of the film until the very end. But you must be very observant to catch some key elements of the plot to put all the clues together. I had to watch it twice to see some key scenes.

The writing is excellent as well. There are a few chuckles but nothing that diminishes the intensity of this film. The writing reveals the characters very well in their actions. Great job of revealing complex characters.

Philosophy plays a part on another level. So enjoy and watch it several times. I will probably watch it again.

A bit slow moving, but worth it

[toddg-473-289818 · 7/10 · 4 August 2019]

A man trying to die meets a hired killer, and tries to get the killer to finish the job. The suicidal man claims their meeting was destined to happen, and each character learns more about the other as the movie progresses. While this Brit movie moves a little slow, the plot twists at the end make it worth watching.

No clever moments

[LordManhammer · 5/10 · 8 September 2018]

This film relies on obvious plot points and has no clever moments, no clever dialogue. The central premise about friendship is plodding, and the "twists" are apparent from the get-go. Dull, through and through.

Unexpectedly good script

[daillstate · 7/10 · 8 October 2020]

So many twists in one movie. The major one was obvious early on, but the last three I just didn't see coming. That made me happy. Happy that is not a wasted view. I'll recommend this one. It's a slow burning plot that keeps your attention, if you pay attention. There's two paintings in the apartment that actually tells the story better than words and I totally missed it. They'll show them later, but it's in the apartment first. 8 can't taste this higher than 7, but some may make it an 8 or a 6.

At first I was disappointed.

[SimonbookNZ · 6/10 · 15 September 2015]

I watched this via Netflix, 1 minute into I groaned 'Oh no, an Australian movie' - forgetting that I had seen some great ones in my time, but also some horrid disappointments.

This movie does not disappoint, plenty of surprises, twists and surprises and then twists and turns again.

I was surprised having watched as many movies as I have and having a knack for remembering actors names, that I had not come across the two main actors before.

Both were awesome, as was this dark, eventful and interesting story.

Well worth a watch.

Good Movie

[debrahotmer · 6/10 · 24 September 2015]

This is an entertaining film with fine acting by the two lead actors. The film is dark and contains violence. There are a few philosophical themes that run through the story line - the question of whether or not fate rules our lives and destinies, do we make our own realities, friendship, love, psychological damage, fear -and these provide food for thought as we follow the main characters and the twists and turns of the story. People who watch similar stories with similar themes will probably be able to figure out some of the twists and possibly the ending by abut 2/3 through the film, but it's still an entertaining film to watch through to the end. I also enjoyed the music in this film.

Whoops almost missed it.

[inexplicable007 · 6/10 · 16 August 2019]

I thought the film was finished so I gamely headed over to vote on IMDB because while it was an alright film I did not feel it warranted it's current score of 6.5. Thank goodness I saw it to it's entirety. Once everything comes together you can appreciate the writing, the story, the character development, the scenes, the labor put into this film and shock yourself at how it pulls you in and makes you think,.

Very watchable movie

[coleyemde · 8/10 · 6 August 2019]

I really enjoyed this movie. This is not a slow burn, they grab you from the beginning and keep the intrigue going. I will say I figured out twists but that didn't matter to me, the movie was just as enjoyable to watch.

Interesting movie

[deexsocalygal · 7/10 · 29 November 2020]

This will hold your interest. It involves an unhappy gay man who has lost his lover & is suicidal because of it. The problem is every time he trys to commit suicide he lives. So he finds a man who murders people for a living, explains his situation & pays him to kill him. And again every time he kills him he comes back to life. They both start getting frustrated & as the movie progresses they become friends & the murder for hire gives him back his money & tells him he can't do it. The murder for hire has an epiphany & suddenly feels his life has purpose again so he quits killing people for money.

An intriguing film that deserves much better than a 6.5 rating

[farshidk · 8/10 · 8 August 2019]

I watched this fantastic film by accident without knowing anything about it. Sometimes ignorance is an advantage! This is a strong film with an wonderful and quite unpredictable storyline. Kudos to both its writer, Kospiah, and its director, Brown for such a great work. It's a dark and violent film about two lonely people who have lost their loved ones and as a result are quite messed up. But as chance would have it, they connect and even develop a friendship; unbeknownst that there is a whole lot more to their relationship and connection...

A bit weird, a bit messed up, a bit messy, slightly predictable but interesting

[vithiet · 7/10 · 19 September 2020]

Yes, the movie could be over in the first 5 minutes with a bit of practical logic. Yes, you can see the plot twists coming 10 miles away. Yes it doesn't feel very polished in some ways. But it is definitely one of those "journey is more important than the destination" and if you keep your suspension of disbelief, it is an interesting and enjoyable movie. It's fairly well directed, with great acting performances and very good score. Overall I'm not sure why I liked it more than I should, so i'd recommend watching it and make your own opinion.

Wonderful film - not for the faint of heart

[kuchynata · 9/10 · 22 July 2015]

The title should be an indication, but let me state it here - this is a dark film, and a very well made one. Since this isn't typically my genre for films, I was surprised at positive my reaction was to this film. I had the privilege of seeing it twice before it was released in theaters, and I regret neither time.

Despite some sections of dialogue going on a little too long, I found the concept to be intriguing, and the characters to be tragic as well as engaging. I wanted to follow their journey, and I wanted them to succeed in their lives - defining that success, though, is put on its ear in this story. I thought the ending was satisfying, and the twists and turns a great ride.

I'll be following this writer and this director for a very long time.

Surprising and moving...

[talllguysf · 9/10 · 27 July 2019]

This film might be thought of as a meditation on "fate," but if that's your takeaway, you've missed the entire point. It's actually a journey though the balance of karma. If you're a deep thinker, then this film is for you. Great characters and superb acting and decent Cinematography.

Brilliant Dark Indie Film!

[grfulnfree-72649 · 8/10 · 27 October 2019]

Intriguing movie, seriously sit back and enjoy; twists to come, great acting and incredible story!