The Killing of Two Lovers

David (Clayne Crawford) points the barrel of his gun at his wife Nikki (Sepideh Moafi) and her lover Derek (Chris Coy) as they sleep soundly in bed. Completely intent on killing them, he changes his mind at the last minute. What follows for David is a journey to mend his broken relationship and reconnect with his four children. However, he’s desperately holding onto a past that no longer exists and struggles to come to terms with his new normal.

Written and directed by Robert Machoian, The Killing of Two Lovers is a brooding and atmospheric drama . Set in a desolate region of Utah, the story is quiet and spare. The subtleties speak volumes. The setting, the story and the characters are given room to breathe even when the tension starts to mount. It seems like the perfect movie to come out of a pandemic. Over the course of the film,  sounds seem to haunt David: the squeaky floor beneath his feet, the opening and closing of a door, and the gun itself. These sounds are added over the scenes and almost act like a narrator. This is a technique I’ve never witnessed before and I found it quite effective.

The Killing of Two Lovers is a must see.

The Killing of Two Lovers is now in theaters and on video on demand. Visit Neon’s website for more information.