Killer Heat (2024) review: Did betrayal seal the fate in the movie?

Killer Heat, directed by Philippe Lacôte, is a crime thriller that debuted on Amazon Prime Video on September 26, 2024. Based on a short story by the famous crime writer Jo Nesbo, the movie follows Nick Bali, a hard-drinking private detective.

At the beginning of the movie, there is a tragic death that seems to have been an accident. However, as more secrets emerge, the story becomes a mystery with broken families and hidden agendas.

The official synopsis of the movie reads,

"A thrilling, contemporary mystery in classic noir style, Killer Heat follows private eye Nick Bali (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), an American expat in Greece, hired to investigate the supposed accidental death of young shipping magnate Leo Vardakis (Richard Madden) on the island of Crete.

Further, it reads,

"The victim's sister-in-law (Shailene Woodley) doesn't believe the official police report. But what exactly happened to Leo, and why? Nick finds darkness at every turn: where the rich and powerful Vardakis family rule like gods, where jealousies run deep, and anyone could be a suspect."

The cast of Killer Heat features Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Detective Nick Bali and Shailene Woodley as Penelope Vardakis. Richard Madden plays the dual roles of twins Leo and Elias Vardakis. Clare Holman appears as Audrey, Babou Ceesay as Georges Mensah, a local cop, and Abbey Lee portrays Monique, adding complexity to the storyline.

---

Killer Heat: The story behind the investigation

Killer Heat tells the story of Nick Bali, a detective hired by Penelope to investigate the death of her brother-in-law, Leo. The film explores the Vardakis family's deep-rooted secrets, including Penelope’s former relationship with Leo before she married his twin brother Elias.

The detective was first convinced that Leo died a natural death. As Nick delves deeper into the case, he uncovers troubling details about the Vardakis empire and the power they hold over the island.

While the investigation is going on, Nick forms a friendship with Georges, a local cop played by Babou Ceesay. Georges shares Nick's suspicions and is one of the rare individuals unafraid to challenge the influential Vardakis family. Together, they discover from Leo's autopsy that his fingers were broken, raising further doubts about the cause of his death.

Throughout the movie, Nick's own dark past begins to haunt him as he unearths painful memories of his failed marriage and estranged daughter.

---

A twisted plotline

As Nick investigates, the line between reality and deception blurs. His brooding narration and inner turmoil paint the picture of a man running from his past while confronting new challenges.

Gordon-Levitt plays a detective whose life has become a mess of cynicism and apathy. Nick unveils dark truths about himself and the Vardakis family as he looks into Leo's death. In the end, he realizes that no one can be trusted.

---

The unexpected finale: Family secrets revealed

As the film reaches its climax, the investigation takes a shocking turn. It turns out that Leo's twin brother Elias plays a big part in his death. As Nick talks to Elias, the tension rises, and Nick discovers that their rivalry is more than family problems.

Elias planned Leo's death so that he could take over the family business without any issues. They confirm Penelope's fears, and the fact that she is close with both brothers adds another layer of mystery to the events that are happening.

Penelope confesses to having an affair with Leo previously. She also reveals to Nick that she is deeply unhappy in her marriage. Elias, living his life like a playboy, won’t allow her to leave him. According to Penelope, Elias threatened to either commit suicide or harm her if she ever attempts to leave.

Penelope teamed up with Leo to plan Elias’s murder. She informed Leo about Elias’ plans that day. However, Leo taking up Elias’ identity was not included in the plan. Leo did that on his own to be with Penelope.

Elias’ death was the only way for Penelope to get out of the marriage but it trapped her with Leo instead. To escape, Penelope hires a detective and plants clues, such as her hair tie in Leo’s apartment, to reveal Leo’s actions and regain her freedom.

By the end, Nick finds himself in a position where he must make a final choice. He can either tell the truth or stay safe from the powerful Vardakis family. Nick decides to put his safety ahead of justice and walk away from the case.

---

From clues to chaos in Killer Heat

The movie builds tension slowly throughout the movie as Nick finds out numerous secrets about the Vardakis family. The investigation is moving forward because Penelope suspected that Leo's death was not an accident.

Her complicated relationships with the twins and the fact that she works with Nick without telling her husband about it add to the mystery. As the detective looks deeper, he finds that Leo's death was not an accident but was planned with precision.

---

The final twist: Power over justice

One of the most interesting things about Killer Heat is how it shows how power works in the Vardakis family. At first, Elias seems like the brother who is mourning, but he turns out to be cold and cunning, ready to do anything to keep control of the family business.

Viewers are left with moral questions after the ending since Nick chose to keep himself safe rather than tell the truth, which keeps the Vardakis family's history of corruption alive.

---

Penelope's role in the ending

A still from Killer Heat (Image via Prime Video)

Penelope plays a crucial role in the finale of Killer Heat. Her suspicions about Leo’s death drive the plot forward, but her motivations remain unclear until the end. In a final conversation with Nick, she reveals that her relationship with both brothers was more complicated than it appeared.

The film's ending reflects a broader theme of cynicism and moral ambiguity. Nick’s decision to leave the case unresolved emphasizes the corrupt nature of the world he inhabits, where the powerful manipulate justice to serve their own interests.

In this sense, Killer Heat leaves viewers with a sense of unease as the real killer remains unpunished, and the detective walks away, haunted by his failures.

---

Killer Heat is currently streaming on Prime Video.