Killer Joe (2011)

After directing The Boys in the Band (1970), The Exorcist (1973) and Cruising (1980), “New Hollywood” filmmaker William Friedkin whipped out his … crime flick Killer Joe (2011) starring Matthew McConaughey in the title role. Curiously, the eponymous character is both a police detective and a contract killer. Based on the same-named play by Tracy Letts, this Southern Gothic tale centers around a messed-up Texas family that hires a hitman to murder their estranged matriarch (Julia Adams). The plan is to collect her insurance money, but the joke is on them when they find out they’re not the actual policy beneficiaries. Yes, it’s a sad song for the Smiths: Ansel (Thomas Haden Church), Dottie (Juno Temple), Sharla (Gina Gershon), and a shirtless Chris (Emile Hirsch). But we’re not complaining since we get to see Mr. McConaughey’s bare body which is all right, all right, all right with Mr. Man. Fifty-two minutes into the movie, Joe’s door is knocked down and Matthew appears in the buff! Despite the fact that we get to glance at his abs and ass, this pic was a box office flop. Nevertheless, it won Saturn Awards for Best Independent Film and Best Actor. The movie also picked up the Golden Mouse (yes, that’s the name of the prize) at the Venice International Film Festival, where it was nominated for a Golden Lion. Maybe it would have won if Matthew exposed his golden snake. While nothing about the flesh flashed on screen screams NC-17, McConaughey’s McConaughties are still killer!