It’s hard to tell exactly what to expect from “Assassination Nation.” The first teaser for the film was a string of trigger warnings, leading the viewer to believe that something they’re about to watch is going to be so shocking and offensive, that they might not be ready for it. The new red band trailer for the film follows a similar theme of trying to shock and surprise you, but honestly, it’s hard to tell if this film is all style, with no substance, or if there’s a deeper meaning buried under the buckets of blood and mayhem.
One thing is for sure, “Assassination Nation” is going to do it’s absolute best to provide some shock value. The plot for the film revolves around the small town of Salem succumbing to chaos after a hacker shares the personal pictures, texts, and emails of half the town online. Quickly, the town has its own version of “The Purge,” with people donning masks and apparently wanting to kill pretty girls because…reasons.
Look, there’s clearly a message here, but the trailers are trying so hard to be edgy that it makes the film feel like some sort of cheap ‘Purge’ knock-off with pretty actresses killing folks in graphic ways. “Assassination Nation” stars Odessa Young, Suki Waterhouse, Hari Nef, Abra, Anika Noni Rose, Colman Domingo, Maude Apatow, with Bill Skarsgård, Joel McHale, and Bella Thorne.
The film is written and directed by Sam Levinson, and is the first project to be released from Joe and Anthony Russo’s AGBO production company.
“Assassination Nation” hits theaters on September 21.
Here’s the official synopsis, red band trailer, green band trailer, and new poster:
High school senior Lily and her group of friends live in a haze of texts, posts, selfies and chats just like the rest of the world. So, when an anonymous hacker starts posting details from the private lives of everyone in their small town, the result is absolute madness leaving Lily and her friends questioning whether they’ll live through the night.