“Natural Born Killers” (1994) is a controversial crime thriller directed by Oliver Stone and starring Woody Harrelson as Mickey Knox and Juliette Lewis as Mallory Knox, a young, violent couple who embark on a killing spree across America. The film is based on a story by Quentin Tarantino and explores themes of media sensationalism, violence, and the cult of celebrity.
The film follows Mickey and Mallory Knox, two deeply disturbed individuals who, after suffering from traumatic upbringings, become a murderous couple. Their love for each other is intense, and together, they seek liberation from their painful pasts by killing anyone who crosses their path. As they rampage across America, the media turns their killing spree into a national sensation, glamorizing their violence and transforming them into celebrities.
Mickey’s past is rooted in abuse from his father, while Mallory was molested by her father (played by Rodney Dangerfield in a darkly disturbing role). The couple’s first act of rebellion is Mallory murdering her father and Mickey killing her mother, after which they flee and begin their killing spree.
The film is divided into segments, portraying their killing spree through different stylistic lenses. Mickey and Mallory’s crimes are shown through various cinematic techniques, including rapid editing, shifting color schemes, animated sequences, and surreal, dreamlike visuals. This heightened style emphasizes the media’s distortion of their actions, turning violence into entertainment.
“Natural Born Killers” critiques how the media sensationalizes violence and turns criminals into celebrities. Wayne Gale’s character directly represents this, exploiting the Knoxes’ crimes for ratings and personal gain. The film also questions Moral Ambiguity, painting its protagonists as both victims and perpetrators of violence, challenging the audience to question who the real villains are—the killers or the society that glorifies them. It also questions the root cause of their Psychopathy and whether it stems from past trauma. Both Mickey and Mallory’s violent tendencies stem from their traumatic pasts, raising questions about the role of childhood trauma in shaping criminal behavior.
The film satirizes how America’s obsession with fame can turn even the most violent individuals into pop culture icons.
“Natural Born Killers” sparked widespread controversy for its graphic depiction of violence and its satirical portrayal of the media. The film was criticized for allegedly glorifying violence, with some arguing that it might inspire copycat crimes. However, it was also praised for its bold, experimental style and searing critique of media culture.
The film’s frenetic editing, unconventional narrative structure, and use of multiple cinematic techniques helped cement its place as a cult classic.
The Other Cinema 