Killer Joe (2012)
A desperate drug dealer's family unravels in a darkly comedic, gritty thriller about a hitman's twisted deal.
A cop who moonlights as a hit man agrees to kill the hated mother of a desperate drug dealer in exchange for a tumble with the young man's virginal sister.
How intense is Killer Joe?
Killer Joe is mildly scary, with graphic gore and brutal violence. Emotionally it is devastating. The pace is measured, and it is a full-attention watch. The humor runs dark and broad. Rated NC-17.
What Killer Joe feels like
- Tone
- grittydarkly comicpulpy
- Pace
- Measured
- Humor
- dark and satirical, broad and big
- Best for
- Full attention
Where to stream Killer Joe
US availability via TMDB, last checked Sep 9, 2026. The app filters picks to the services you actually have.
Is Killer Joe for you?
Is Killer Joe scary?
Only a little. Killer Joe has a few tense moments (scare level 1 of 3), nothing that follows you to bed.
Is Killer Joe gory or violent?
Graphic gore (2 of 3) and brutal violence (3 of 3). If graphic gore is a dealbreaker, skip it.
Is Killer Joe sad or heavy?
Yes. Emotional weight 3 of 3. It hits hard; do not plan anything light after.
Is Killer Joe OK for kids?
It is rated NC-17, so it is made for adults. Intensity: scare 1, gore 2, violence 3, each out of 3.
How long is Killer Joe?
Killer Joe runs 1h 42m.
Where can I stream Killer Joe?
Killer Joe is streaming on Netflix, Prime Video and Fandango at Home (free).
Does Killer Joe have a happy ending? spoiler-safe answer
No. Brace yourself.
Cast and crew
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