In this episode of Intrepid Filmographers, Bobby Shortle and Nick Rocco Scalia dig into Karyn Kusama’s gritty crime drama Destroyer (2018), starring Nicole Kidman in one of her most transformative roles. Known for its unflinching portrayal of a damaged detective haunted by her past, Destroyer presents a raw, intense journey through Los Angeles’ underbelly.
Bobby and Nick explore Kidman’s powerhouse performance, the film’s themes of guilt, redemption, and self-destruction, and Kusama’s unique approach to neo-noir. They also discuss the film’s use of flashbacks, its stylistic choices, and its place in Kusama’s eclectic filmography.
Topics Covered:
Nicole Kidman’s intense transformation and dual-layered performance
Karyn Kusama’s direction and the film’s noir influences
The complex structure of flashbacks and how it drives the narrative
Comparisons to other crime dramas and neo-noir classics
Themes of regret, justice, and personal reckoning
The gritty realism of Los Angeles depicted in the film
Chapter Timecodes:
0:00 - Introduction and context of Destroyer
10:00 - Nicole Kidman’s performance: Breaking out of her comfort zone
20:00 - The gritty world of Destroyer: Visual style and setting
35:00 - The impact of Kusama’s direction on the crime genre
50:00 - Flashbacks and the narrative twists
1:10:00 - Final thoughts: Where Destroyer stands in Kusama’s career
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