Stressed to Kill (2016) User Reviews

Are you ready to exterminate?

[nogodnomasters · 6/10 · 19 November 2017]

Bill (Bill Oberst Jr. ) stresses very easily, especially with rude people on cell phones. He discovers that killing people lowers his blood pressure. With the help of a friend, Bill reduces his stress with poisonous blow darts. Yup. No heads exploding. Detective Paul Jordon (Armand Assante) a bit of a vigilante himself, tails the two.

Killing with a blowgun is about as exciting as a Vulcan nerve pinch. Bill was a boring character who never really looked stressed, he would just hold it in.

Guide: F-word. Sex. No nudity.

Close, but no cigar

[kellymoravek · 5/10 · 29 April 2018]

Idea for the plot was good, but the acting was ... not. Almost coukd have worked as a spoof, but acting wasn't quite good enough for that. But couldn't stop watching. Does pick up at the end.

Indie black comedy

[Leofwine_draca · 4/10 · 5 February 2018]

STRESSED TO KILL is a black comedy made on an indie budget which turns out to be a lot better than expected. A lot of that is down to the main performance from Bill Oberst Jr., one of the hardest-working indie stars in cinema today. Oberst is excellent as the mild-mannered protagonist who visits a doctor who advises him to improve his health by eliminating all stresses from his life. Oberst takes this advice literally by using poisoned blow darts to kill anyone who annoys him. It's a quirky premise and one that plays out on the cheap, but the direction is solid and it's occasionally very amusing. Armand Assante co-stars as a psycho cop.

Clever concept, writing falls short a bit

[joeycanto · 18 November 2016]

I was actually excited to screen this. I heard mixed reviews, but the negative reviews were from colleagues that I don't necessarily respect. This is a nice mash up of a dark comedy and a thriller, the concept is fresh and the characters are well developed for the most part. The technical side isn't really newsworthy, good or bad, about what you'd expect from a higher end indie which is certainly my cup of preferred tea. Although some of the continuity errors stick out, in particular a magic coffee cup that can't seem to find a consistent home(you'll see what I mean when you watch it) I'm a big fan of Bill Oberst Jr and this role was right in his hot zone, the perfect role for him. I'll pretty much watch anything he's in. Without having access to the script, I can venture an educated guess that some of his dialogue that fell short was a writing issue and most of the dialogue that was on point was likely improv on Oberst's part. The other lead, Armand Assante, complimented Bill well but unfortunately struggled to hold his own from a pure talent standpoint. The supporting cast was passable, bright in some spots but fell short in others. Not sure if I can chalk this up to poor direction or poor casting by the producers. I'm familiar with Mark Savage's work and skill so I'd probably put this one on the producers. Savage puts out work that I am happy to pay to see. All in all I am pleased with this film. It drags a bit in the second act, but not horribly. Some of the performances are uneven, but overall good.

Stressful to watch...

[blizzard-48321 · 1/10 · 15 August 2017]

I know it's not nice to accuse other people of fake reviews, especially when it's my first but I have no choice. I really can't believe someone could actually praise this film. First of all: it's not low budget, it's extremely super uber low no budget. Nothing wrong with that itself but be aware - it shows. The story itself isn't too bad. Sure, it was done before and all but it doesn't have to be original to be good. Unfortunately, to make a film that takes itself seriously you need a few things, like good casting which means - good actors. Sadly that can't be found in 'Stressed to Kill'. The film 'stars' Armand Assante and I'm sure all the actor's budget went to pay his salary. Assante was a decent actor once. He delivered few really memorable performances but it was all 20+ years ago. Since then...drugs, booze, I guess. Now he's one of these small names, affordable for super low budget movies because nothing better comes his way. Here, he plays the detective and like the other reviewer have said 'mumbles his lines'. It's not even acting, this guy couldn't speak properly and I had trouble understanding what the heck were his lines. Luckily enough, he only has a small part. Lead actor in the film is Bill Oberst Jr. (I hope Oberst Sr. wasn't an actor as well) and he's the worst casting choice possible. He looks like a combination of devil/psychopath/bum/local creep/. Definitely not someone you will feel sympathy for. Ever. Under any circumstances. Plus, Oberst can't really act. He's one of these actors who will do any film that pays 100 bucks/day and well, that's the quality you will get. He will pass as someone who needs to look scary but won't carry your film because he can't act. Marshall Hilton plays his best pal and overacts pretty much every scene he's in. Must be another 100 bucks/day Wonder. I checked his profile on here and saw he was in kids show 'Beetleborgs' many moons ago. All these years later, he still overacts like he did before, except that it made sense in 'Beetleborgs'. It doesn't make sense in 'Stressed to Kill'. Sonia Curtis who plays Oberst's wife might be as well best actor in the entire film but trust me...that doesn't mean much. Curtis had a small part in another film I watched recently 'Relentless Justice' and while she wasn't too bad there, it's obvious she had much stronger competition. Have to say she looks pretty good for her age, though. So the acting pretty much sucks. That's one huge problem. Another problem is it's running time. It drags for way too long. I mean it runs for almost 2 hours and should be at least 40 minutes shorter. Some say it's a dark comedy but really...It's a boring thriller with absolutely horrible acting, directing and lack of production value. Do yourself a favour and don't spend your money on this joke of a film.

Savage's best film to date

[citywoman3105 · 7/10 · 2 June 2016]

Mark Savage is well-known world-wide as a genre director, a hat he is more than happy to wear. Yet, this does limit his image somewhat amongst mainstream cinema circles, both for funding and garnering audience. And that's a shame. 'Stressed to Kill' comes from a similar place as 'Falling Down'(Dir.: Joel Schumacher, 1993) but has been crafted to a very tight budget which occasionally shows on the screen. However, don't let that deter you from seeing it. Accept it for what it is - a film that sticks to its purpose with skill and care. There is discipline apparent in the acting and direction and that is applause-worthy. As a story, again, it is true to form and the acting of Bill Oberst is the star turn here as the unwell hero-anti-hero (depending on your POV). He makes this flawed, edgy chap very likable and credible with razor-sharp emotions and a build of tension that last through the narrative. Now I would like to see Mark Savage step out of the genre and for someone to give him a wad of $$$$ so that a wider audience can see his work which clearly is applicable to a very broad range of film languages and devices.

Could have been great, ended up trash

[casablancavic · 2/10 · 6 October 2016]

I thought this was going to be like Falling Down or something equally as cool.

It is not.

It's a bore. It drags. It's horribly acted with massive holes in the story and horrible dialogue, stupid settings and atrocious casted actors.

The setup was fairly good, but 5 minutes in, it fell flat and then remained there and started to sink shortly after.

Armand Assante mumbles his way through his lines horribly and stumbles around like a drunk on his 2nd bottle of Jack Daniels in 20 minutes.

The characters are horribly written and the developed story is anything but developed.

It could have been made a dark comedy with different comedic actors delivering the same lines and better performances, but as it wasn't made into a comedy - this just sucked.

Totally different cast could have turned this mess around.

If you doubt me now, you won't doubt me later.

Who needs blood pressure meds?

[nathanswenson · 7/10 · 2 June 2016]

More black comedy than thriller, this film has Bill Oberst, Jr. doing what we'd all like to do to all those annoying asshats we encounter in our daily lives...kill them. Under doctor's orders to reduce his blood pressure following a heart attack, Bill (with the help of his chemist best friend Stan) eliminates those human stresses that plague him. Hot on his trail is an unconventional detective (Armand Assante) who forces these amateur serial killers to devise an ingenious endgame. The plot and pacing is solid but is somewhat weakened by stilted dialogue and occasional uneven acting. Oberst and Assante do well enough to smooth over these pitfalls, though. If I'm honest, I recommend this movie based on one incredible scene. It's the one where Assante takes Bill for a midnight ride in his ice cream truck (don't ask). The dynamic between these two is electric, even mesmerizing. The other scene that stands out is near the beginning when Bill chases an annoying asshat and then witnesses the asshat get creamed by a truck. The resulting smile on Bill's face is one of childlike joy that is both beautiful and utterly terrifying. The film is a about 10 minutes too long but is still worth your time. As a postscript, I'd like to lobby for Oberst to do more comedy. He's good at it.

Worst film I have ever seen!

[julian158 · 1/10 · 15 September 2019]

Don't really know where to start with this. I wouldn't bother, poor acting, poor plot. Nothing redeemable with this film.

Stressed of people being stressed

[tomjosephwright · 7/10 · 26 January 2020]

Just watched it on Amazon, frame rate was a bit off at some points but that could just be my connection... apart from that there's nothing really wrong with it, in fact it was really entertaining, didn't mind the acting at all, didn't come across too cheesy, budget was low but I've seen way way lower... the lead actor I liked, his buddy I liked, everyone they hated I hated... the crazy cop was fun... yeah I had a good time... I'm no movie critic but it is what it is and if you try and pick at things like a lot of the reviews do then you probably don't want to enjoy it, where's the fun in that? Give it a watch, if you like it you like it, if you don't you don't, it's that simple....

Suck Movie - Main Character Bill Oberst Jr - Terrible Pretend Actor - Bottom Of The Barrel Movie

[fredgfinklemeyer · 3/10 · 4 February 2019]

02/03/2019 Don't waste your time. Even with Armand Assante in the movie it can't help the damage done by NOT funny PRETEND actor Bill Oberst Jr - He SUCKS. IMDb gives this garbage 5.7 stars??? more like less than 4 stars. Bon Appetit

Terrific Indy Dark Comedy/Thriller!

[FilmIsPwn · 9/10 · 11 June 2016]

Stressed to Kill is a highly entertaining indy thriller/dark comedy. Elements of the plot are reminiscent of Falling Down crossed with Strangers on a Train. Bill Oberst Jr. plays Bill (the role he was born to play!) a stressed out every man who suffers a heart attack and decides to eliminate the causes of his stress . . . permanently.

Marshal Hilton is Stan, Bill's best friend turned enabler, and turns in a terrific supporting performance. I had not heard of HIlton before this film, but I'm now a fan. The more well-known Armand Assante plays the off-his-rocker cop trying to track down Bill. Assante delivers a great, over-the-top performance that reminded me of late career, "I don't give a crap" Marlon Brando -- and to be clear I mean that as a big compliment!

Bill Oberst Jr. is a terrific leading man, and his journey throughout the film is mesmerizing. I thought I was going into "just" an independent thriller, but at times Stressed to Kill is absolutely hysterical. I practically busted my gut in the scene where Bill kills a fat lady in the elevator with a blow dart; trust me, it is worth the rental itself! The tone shifts swiftly at times, for example I was rolling on the floor as Bill dresses up as a little old lady to kill a target at an AA meeting. The sight of Bill dressing up like Irene Ryan from the Beverly Hillbillies had me in stitches . . . but the haunted reaction of Bill and Stan after the murder, a cross between intoxicated satisfaction and "can you believe we did it" horror is top-notch acting, award material stuff.

Stressed to Kill is one to check out for sure!

--Daniel J. Roos

Important Moral Conundrum

[spsarkar · 7/10 · 17 July 2017]

Watching this film, from the very beginning, I was troubled by a very big moral dilemma..one that I would like to sound out from you, ye faithful pilgrims on IMDb. Is it wrong to kill bullies (all types, including the PC police and the progressives/liberals these days) and those who makes your blood boil and those who do you wrong? Who would NOT want to kill the people killed by the lead (Since KILL is in the title- I hope it is not going to count as a spoiler!). I mean who amongst us was not (internally) screaming with delight when the first prick gets hit by a car (and meets his maker, one hopes)? Come on..be honest.

Similarly, who did not want the cinema cellphone idiot killed? The fat woman in the elevator? Or the fat guy driving the puny Ford while speaking on the phone? Why are they all fat by the way? Such prejudice..hahha!!

While thinking about it, and relishing the fate of these vermin (it ain't a crime yet- but give the coastal types a chance, it will be!) I came up with a bigger moral conundrum..if you catch your spouse cheating with another, who would you kill? The Spouse? Or the other? Both? Neither? Which one first?

This movie, I caught only per chance, and I am glad I did. It is a well made film, backed by some terrific performances by the lead and the 'enabler', the best friend of the lead. It was ruined somewhat by the Armand Assante trying to do Marlon Brando in Apocalypse Now (someone please tell him he ain't no Marlon Brando- actually he is more like a nobody!) and some poor editing. It is rated as a thriller/black comedy but probably best described as a black comedy. The premise is simple, the execution mostly flawless although the presence of Armand Assante does ruin it a bit. It feels as if the director has a man crush on Assante or owes Assante's agent a favor for letting him sleep on his couch when he was struggling ..or something like that. I mean his knee high socks is supposed to make it OK for us?

The movie is carried superbly by the acting of the two less known (I never heard of them) actors, the lead and his best friend Stan..at times it descends to farce but intentionally. The lead guy is so terrific that I am sure we will see a lot more of him. The plot is predictable, the pace just right and the direction, for most part- superb. Dialogs are taut, with very little redundant save the entire lines for Armand Assante who would have been more of a comic relief he was rendered deaf-mute by a half effective poison dart, but I digress.

One additional criticism is not so much of the film or the director, but who picked the lead character's daughter? I mean, how dark you want your dark comedy to be if you hire a 5000 year old mummy and make them speak through a ventriloquist? Or maybe the director owes her agent for a ..or something.

But my moral conundrum is still not answered..readers, please help.

Poisoned arrows to decrease the blood pressure

[RodrigAndrisan · 7/10 · 2 July 2016]

In Alfred Hitchcock's "Strangers on a Train"(1951), two strangers each agree to kill someone the other person wants disposed of. In "Stressed to Kill" (2016) history repeats itself, only this time the protagonists are two very good friends. One of them he does more than that, he first train himself by killing several very annoying people that appear in his pathetic existence, managing to escape the stress permanently produced by his own wife, who has an affair with a big belly idiot. Bill Oberst Jr. is very effective in the role of Bill Johnson. I found myself in the character, I do not like neither to be bothered by morons in cinemas. The difference is that I do not kill people. I beat a few, that's right, on several occasions, in different theaters at different films. Armand Assante is OK in the role of unorthodox policeman and a little mental disturbed himself. The movie is good but I would have liked it more faster, more dynamic, it has some moments when the pace is too slow.

Loved it

[Psy-Ko · 9/10 · 24 June 2016]

Checked this movie out because I'm a fan of Bill Oberst Jr. He is an awesome actor. But I do admit he has been in some low budget messes. This is not one of them! It's indy and I expect the budget was not that of a big Hollywood movie but it really doesn't show. Production quality was good, lighting & sound were decent and surprisingly the actors were all pretty good! Usually indies spend their budget on a couple big stars and the rest are..... well to be nice not as good quality. This was different though. I of course feel Bill was the stand out but the other actors who played his best friend and the cop who was after him carried their weight. Even the smaller roles were filled with actors of quality. That made all the difference in the world for me! As someone else stated it is more of a black comedy then a thriller. I think we can all relate to Bill on some level. He does what we wish we could do. There were a lot of "hell yeah" moments when he took someone down. I thoroughly enjoyed this flick from beginning to end and more then likely will watch it again. May have to buy the DVD for the collection.

Great overall plot and acting a must see. Makes for a great date night!

[dlordbymeevr · 9/10 · 17 June 2016]

Bill stressed himself out with the everyday cycle of life..so much so he gave himself a heart attack. His Doctor insisted upon him eliminating stress from his life! He started on a rampage killing random people who stressed him out! At the insistence of his doctor (who had no idea what he was doing to be stress- free) he kept it up because it was alleviating stress! I thoroughly enjoyed the movie ....it kept you in suspense with a dark portion of humor! It was funny, suspense filled and not quite the obvious! Plus the bad guy ...well I want to tell the whole movie movie but I won't! Go check it out! You will receive your money's worth! It also teaches you to be careful who you stress out or you could be next!