The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017) review

The score is genuinely bothersome, and for me, it is the highlight of the film. It creates constant unease and tension. The cast is great, no question there. But despite the strong performances, I didn’t really get the point of the film. There was no solid payoff for me, especially when I compare it to Bugonia, where there is at least a clearer thematic punch. Here, I kept waiting for that “aha!” moment where everything would suddenly click, but it never came. By the end, I was still unsure whether the film was meant to be taken literally or metaphorically. Is it a straight-up curse narrative, or is it about guilt, punishment, moral balance, and consequence dressed up as something supernatural? The film never fully commits to clarifying that. I understand that ambiguity is part of the design, but for me, it felt more frustrating than thought-provoking. Instead of feeling disturbed in a meaningful way, I was left confused and detached, unsure what emotional or philosophical conclusion I was supposed to arrive at.