Michael Fassbender’s Unblinking Commitment in David Fincher’s ‘The Killer’

In the grand realm of filmmaking, David Fincher is renowned for his meticulous attention to detail. His perfectionism on set is the stuff of legend, a fact attested to by many who have had the privilege of working with him. From Mark Ruffalo recounting how Fincher quietly orchestrated a background player’s inch-perfect move in ‘Zodiac’ to Ben Affleck’s futile attempts to catch the director off-guard in ‘Gone Girl,’ the stories are endless. But the latest tale of precision comes from Erik Messerschmidt, Fincher’s cinematographer, who revealed that Michael Fassbender, the star of their latest project, ‘The Killer,’ never once blinked on camera throughout the entire shoot. Now that’s commitment to a role!

The Killer is a thrilling adaptation of the French graphic novel by Alexis Nolent, and it recently made its premiere at the Venice Film Festival before landing on Netflix’s release schedule. This marks the first collaboration between Fincher and Fassbender, who’s returning to the big screen after a well-deserved sabbatical. Erik Messerschmidt, who previously worked with Fincher on the period drama ‘Mank,’ for which he won an Oscar, describes the director’s perfectionism as “scary.” Yet, he believes that this level of uncompromising dedication is precisely what separates the great artists from the rest. “You have to be impossible to deal with to be any good at this,” he remarks, “or you’ll never make anything good.” It’s a daunting thought, but one that brings out the best in those at the top of their craft.

Messerschmidt goes on to laud Fassbender as the ideal actor for Fincher, and here’s where it gets fascinating. His “focus puller highlighted something remarkable: the actor didn’t blink on camera for the entire shoot.” Now, that’s a feat in itself! It’s almost as if Fassbender channeled his inner superhero, refusing to blink for the sake of cinematic excellence. His unblinking performance adds a layer of intensity and commitment to his character.

David Fincher, in an interview, drew parallels between Fassbender’s dedication and Daniel Craig’s commitment in ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.’ The protagonist in ‘The Killer’ has a chilling mantra, a way to cope with his sinister job as a hired serial killer, and Fassbender’s clinical portrayal perfectly captures this inner turmoil. As Fincher notes, “Michael’s eyes betray a lot.” They are the windows to his character’s complex psyche, allowing the audience to delve into the depths of his role. Like Daniel Craig, Fassbender is driven by the pursuit of perfection, always ready to do it better. If you asked him to adjust something by a fraction of an inch, he’d fine-tune it meticulously. But beyond his technical precision, Fassbender brings a wealth of insightful ideas about behavior to the table. It’s like a blend of raw talent and disciplined craftsmanship that defines his approach.

In the realm of American filmmaking, David Fincher stands tall, known for genre-defining masterpieces such as ‘Se7en,’ ‘Fight Club,’ and ‘Zodiac.’ Over the past decade and a half, he has consistently attracted Oscars attention with works like ‘The Social Network,’ ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,’ and ‘Mank.’ ‘The Killer’ reunites him with the esteemed writer Andrew Kevin Walker, famous for their collaboration on ‘Se7en.’ With a cast including Tilda Swinton, Arliss Howard, and Sophie Charlotte, the film is set to debut on Netflix on November 10. So, mark your calendars, movie enthusiasts! This isn’t just another thriller; it’s the result of a creative synergy where perfectionism knows no bounds.

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More about Unblinking Commitment

• Empire Magazine’s Article
• Venice Film Festival
• David Fincher’s Filmography
• Michael Fassbender’s Filmography
• Netflix Release Information