Natural Born Killers
| 1994Directed by: Oliver Stone
Main Plot
Natural Born Killers follows the story of Mickey and Mallory Knox, a young couple who embark on a violent crime spree across the American Southwest. Their love is intertwined with a series of brutal murders, which they commit with a sense of exhilaration and purpose. As their notoriety grows, they become media sensations, attracting the attention of a sensationalist news reporter who seeks to exploit their story for ratings. The film critiques the relationship between media and violence, illustrating how the couple's actions are sensationalized and glorified by the press. As they evade law enforcement and continue their rampage, the narrative explores themes of love, fame, and the impact of media on society. The couple's journey becomes a chaotic blend of reality and media spectacle, raising questions about morality and the nature of violence in contemporary culture.
Characters
- Mickey Knox, played by Woody Harrelson, is a psychopathic killer who embarks on a violent crime spree with his wife, becoming media sensations.
- Juliette Lewis plays Mallory Knox, a rebellious young woman who, alongside her lover Mickey, embarks on a violent crime spree, challenging societal norms and media sensationalism.
- O-Lan Jones plays Mabel, a gas station attendant who becomes one of Mickey and Mallory's victims during their violent crime spree.
Ending Explained
In the ending of Natural Born Killers, Mickey and Mallory Knox, the film's central characters, find themselves in a chaotic showdown with law enforcement after a series of violent escapades. As they are pursued, they manage to escape into a surreal, media-driven landscape that blurs the lines between reality and fiction. The couple's journey culminates in a violent confrontation at a prison, where they are surrounded by police and media, symbolizing the sensationalism of their story. In a climactic moment, Mickey and Mallory take control of the situation, showcasing their defiance against societal norms and the media's role in glorifying violence. The film ends with them escaping into a dreamlike state, suggesting a desire for freedom from their chaotic lives. The final scenes highlight the pervasive influence of media on public perception and the glorification of violence, as the couple becomes icons of a twisted love story. This resolution ties back to the film's critique of media sensationalism, illustrating how their violent journey has transformed them into symbols of rebellion against a society that both creates and consumes violence. The ending leaves viewers questioning the morality of their actions and the impact of media on real-life violence.