Watch Killing Vasser

Killing Vasser is a 2019 thriller masquerading as a dark comedy that takes place over the course of one fateful day in the life of three best friends. The movie follows three friends, Jonathan Vasser (Matt License), Samantha (Ashling Arris), and Tressa (Kess Siusis), as they embark on a journey of deceit, betrayal, and murder that leaves a trail of death and destruction in its wake.

The movie begins with Jonathan waking up on his 30th birthday, struggling to come to terms with his life, which is a far cry from what he had imagined it would be. He is broke, jobless, and living with his mother, who coddles him like a baby. His friends are no better off, with Samantha, a drug addict who has been kicked out of her house by her mother, and Tressa, a single mother who is trying to make ends meet.

As Jonathan sulks around the house, feeling sorry for himself, Samantha and Tressa show up with a birthday cake and a dubious plan to make some quick cash. They tell Jonathan that they have kidnapped his estranged father and are demanding a ransom of $2 million. Jonathan is horrified but decides to go along with the plan, hoping that it will help him turn his life around.

Things go from bad to worse when they find out that Jonathan's father has been dead for weeks, and the person they have been calling and texting is actually a mobster named Hammer (Brendan Nagle), who is not happy about the prank. Hammer demands that they pay him the $2 million, or he will kill them all.

Thus begins a wild adventure that takes the friends from one scenario to the next, each one more dangerous than the last. They rob a bank, steal a car, and try to elude the police and Hammer's henchmen, all while trying to figure out a way to come up with the ransom money. Along the way, they encounter a host of colorful characters, including a drag queen, a gang of bikers, and a corrupt cop, played by Eric Roberts.

The performances are excellent, with Matt License delivering a stand-out turn as the hapless Jonathan, who finds himself in way over his head. Ashling Arris is also great as Samantha, bringing just the right amount of pathos to her character, who is dealing with addiction and abandonment issues. Kess Siusis is a revelation as Tressa, portraying her as a tough, no-nonsense woman who will do anything to take care of her child.

The movie is directed by Jason Gerbay, who infuses the film with a frenetic energy that perfectly matches the chaotic nature of the story. The cinematography is excellent, with some stunning aerial shots of the city that give the movie a cinematic quality that belies its low budget.

The writing, by Michael O'Hara, is sharp and witty, with some hilarious one-liners that had me laughing out loud. The dialogue is naturalistic, and the characters are well-drawn, with each one having their own distinct arc that is satisfyingly resolved by the end of the movie.

Overall, Killing Vasser is a fun, engaging movie that is sure to keep audiences entertained from beginning to end. It is not without its flaws, but the performances, direction, and writing more than make up for any shortcomings. This is a movie that deserves to be seen, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thrilling and hilarious ride.