Killing Mary Sue

James Sunshine's "Killing Mary Sue" attempts a satirical deconstruction of a well-worn trope but ultimately becomes the very thing it seeks to parody. The film, which follows a group of writers who try to kill off their all-powerful, flawless main character, suffers from a severe lack of narrative focus, meandering between meta-commentary and a generic action plot without truly committing to either. The result is a lukewarm and ultimately unmemorable cinematic experience that delivers neither genuine laughs nor compelling thrills.

The supposed "clever" interactions between the characters feel forced and contrived, lacking the genuine spark necessary to engage the audience. The dialogue, often laden with clichéd pronouncements about storytelling and character arcs, feels painfully artificial, as if the writers simply strung together a series of pop culture references without any regard for natural conversation. The film's self-awareness feels less like wit and more like a crutch, failing to mask its underdeveloped plot and thin characters.

Is it worth watching? No. It's a film that promises a clever critique but delivers a clumsy and uninspired caricature.

So Mary Sue has a bit of baggage but every female superhero does, right? This film takes us on a joy ride of discovery, mayhem, humor, and tragedy. The sudden plot twists and stories within stories take us in a very entertaining and engaging romp. I can't believe that I became totally infatuated with the main character Mary Sue and I worried when she had self issues to deal with but was excited for her when she came to terms with who she is and where she is headed. My wife had issues with some of the violent bits but the action in this film was necessary to understand Mary Sue and to see what a few unpleasant moments in her life has done to shape her into the powerful woman that takes charge of her life going forward. I loved the fun and the film and hope to see much more from this fabulous team.

Killing Mary Sue" is a fun, fast-paced movie that's perfect to watch with a group of friends. I saw it in a packed theater during the LA Film Festival and had an absolute blast-can't recommend it enough. The performances are strong across the board, and the writing and editing are sharp, keeping you on the edge of your seat with no dull moments.

If you're expecting a heavy-handed political message, this probably isn't the film for you. But if you're in the mood for something that pokes fun at everyone equally and leans into absurdity purely for entertainment's sake, Killing Mary Sue is right up your alley. I wouldn't be surprised if it becomes more popular as word spreads.

This is pure fun. I've worked with Mr. Sunshine before and I love his deliberate uncomprimising sense of humor. I'm a huge Dermot Mulroney fan and where else are you going to see Dermot, Jake Busey and Martin Cove in the same film? Sierra McCormick plays Mary Sue and makes her believable - which is no easy task in this delightfully nutball romp. She kills the action scenes -- reminiscent of Kick Ass but with her (and Sunshine's) unique vibe. This is an action movie with most of the action shot in camera and therefore has that wonderful tender loving care feel of the movies I love. See this film and enjoy!

I had the opportunity to see the movie at the Big Apple Film Festival in a completely packed theatre in May. The film received an incredible reaction from the crowd, myself included. It was fun and funny - the film seemingly does not take itself seriously one bit but then sneaks up on you with an unexpected sentimentality. Lead actress Sierra McCormick gives a 10/10 performance. I also loved the soundtrack, including music from band Can't Tell You, which suits the plot and the opening scene exceedingly well for those who take the time to listen to the music and lyrics. I'm super excited to watch again now that it's available to stream!