Michael Fassbender’s High-Stakes Return to Acting
It’s not every day you see an A-lister like Michael Fassbender stepping back into the spotlight after a hiatus. He’s not just back; he’s making a grand re-entry with David Fincher’s latest, The Killer. Fassbender’s first acting gig since 2019’s “X-Men: Dark Phoenix,” the film already screams “comeback movie” and it’s more than catching the eye of critics.
“The Killer is Fassbender’s comeback movie, as it’s his first acting gig since 2019’s X-Men: Dark Phoenix. He stars in The Killer as the title character, a cold assassin who fights against his employers — and his own state of mind — after a job goes fatally wrong.”
The Fincher-Fassbender Partnership Steals the Show
David Fincher, known for his compelling storytelling and character-driven narratives, is offering his first thriller since 2014. The director’s career might just be on the brink of another renaissance. At its premiere at the Venice International Film Festival, The Killer received a Special Mention for its music. It also boasts an 82% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. Clearly, the film isn’t playing around when it comes to accolades.
“David Fincher’s The Killer could mark a turning point in the director’s career thanks to Michael Fassbender’s performance in the movie.”
Does Fassbender Break Fincher’s Oscar Curse?
Fincher’s track record at the Oscars is both impressive and puzzling. Every lead in his films since 2008 has snagged an Oscar nomination. That’s Brad Pitt, Jesse Eisenberg, Rooney Mara, Rosamund Pike, and Gary Oldman. And yet, none of them took home the golden statue.
“Since 2008, each of David Fincher’s movies has received an Oscar nomination for one of its lead performances…There’s a possibility that Michael Fassbender could be the first lead actor in a David Fincher film to not receive an Academy Award nomination since Zodiac.”
Michael Fassbender could either break or continue this so-called “Fincher curse.” His performance in The Killer is already lauded, but as far as Oscar buzz goes, it’s still the quiet before the storm.
Fassbender vs. DiCaprio: The Potential Oscar Showdown
Even if Fassbender does score an Oscar nomination, he’ll likely be pitted against industry heavyweights like Leonardo DiCaprio. It wouldn’t be the first time; he lost to DiCaprio for his role in “Steve Jobs.”
“Even if Fassbender is nominated for The Killer, he’ll likely be up against DiCaprio again, for Killers of the Flower Moon, plus Oppenheimer’s Cillian Murphy.”
The 96th Academy Awards are still a ways off, with nominations to be announced on January 23, 2024. It leaves the industry and audiences alike in a nail-biting wait to see if The Killer and Fassbender’s critically acclaimed act makes it to the Oscar limelight.
The Oscar Question Looms Large
Fincher and Fassbender have both played this game before, and they know the stakes are high. With The Killer, they’ve got the critics’ nods but do they have the Academy’s? If Fassbender gets snubbed, it could be a significant blow to both the actor and the director, especially when the performance is being considered one of the year’s best.
So, mark your calendars for January 23, and let’s see if The Killer becomes the killer of Fincher’s Oscar woes—or adds another chapter to it.
