The Killing (film)

The Killing is a 1956 Film Noir by Stanley Kubrick that follows the last heist of career criminal Johnny Clay. With 2 million dollars at stake in the racetrack counting room Clay sets up an elaborate plan to get the money and get everyone involved their share. At the time of the heist the film splits off to show the perspective of every character involved in the heist.

Tropes used in The Killing (film) include:

• Anti-Hero: Johnny Clay.
• The Bartender: Mike O'Reilly.
• The Caper: The robbing of a racetrack counting room.
• Chiaroscuro: Especially prominent in scenes with George Peatty.
• Dirty Cop: Randy Kennan.
• Film Noir: Stankley Kubrick's take.
• The Film of the Book: Based on the novel Clean Break by Lionel White.
• Genius Bruiser: Maurice Oboukhoff, played by professional wrestler Kola Kwariani, spends his time playing chess when he isn't holding his own against 6 or mooks.
• Loan Shark: Policeman Randy Kennan's reason for joining the caper.
• Malevolent Masked Man: Johnny Clay wears a clown mask and hat at the climax of the caper.
• Narrator
• Punch Clock Villains: Everyone involved in the caper except Johnny Clay.

"None of these men are criminals in the usual sense. They've all got jobs, they all live seemingly normal, decent lives. But they've got their problems and they've all got a little larceny in them."

—Johnny Clay

• Rashomon Style
• Senseless Violins: Johnny gets a gun into a motel room by hiding it in a guitar case.
• Simultaneous Arcs: During the heist.