The Editor (2014)

Here we are, back at it again for the next installment in the A-to-Z Part Deux Challenge! This week for the letter “H”, we have Heather Neale (Costume Designer) and the movie that she worked on called The Editor (2014).

Title: The Editor

Director: Adam Brooks and Matthew Kennedy

Released: September 11, 2014, at the Toronto International Film Festival

Runtime: 1 hour 35 minutes

Available to stream on: Tubi

Rey Ciso (Adam Brooks) had an unfortunate accident that resulted in the loss of his fingers on his right hand. The accident derailed Rey’s promising career as a film editor, despite the use of prosthetics on his right hand. He hasn’t given up though, he still works as an editor and is in the middle of editing the latest giallo film, Tarantola.

Things aren’t much better for Rey at home. His wife, Josephine Jardin (Paz de la Huerta), was once a prominent actress but now spends her days belittling Rey while fantasizing about the lead actor from Tarantola, Claudio.

If Rey had any hopes of things turning around, he’s in for a world of disappointment. While screening Tarantola, Claudio is murdered. One by one the bodies of the lead actors in Tarantola begin piling up. Each victim with their fingers severed, just like Rey Ciso’s right hand.

Can the severed fingers be a coincidence?

Is someone trying to frame Rey?

Will there be enough evidence for Rey to plead his innocence?

Or will Rey join the others on the cutting room floor?

So, I feel like The Editor (2014) is definitely a movie that won’t have a lot of middle ground. You’ll either dig it or you’ll wonder what you did with the last ninety-five minutes of your life.

Luckily for me, I happened to dig what Adam Brooks, Matthew Kennedy, and fellow writer Conor Sweeney gave us. Somehow, they managed to pull off a love letter to giallo that effectively mixed in comedy and mystery as well.

The choice of colors, costumes (hey, thanks, Heather Neale!), and the synth/jazz soundtrack make this feel like a modern day giallo film. Not even five minutes in and you’re ready for bright vibrant colors caked in cheesy fun. However, we also were treated to humor that reminded me of Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace.

While the humor can go unnoticed if you aren’t paying attention, what can’t go unnoticed is how well the mystery aspect of the story blends in. It feels like its own distinct subplot while still very much a central part of all the surrounding events and storylines.

As I said, the odds are this won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. But that’s up to you to decide.

Just be sure to give The Editor (2014) at least one viewing before you decide if it belongs on the cutting room floor.

So, those are my thoughts. But what are yours?

Tell me what you thought of The Editor (2014) in the comments below or by reaching out on social media!

You know what’s next. Keep an eye on Threads and Instagram this Wednesday for the reveal of the crew member’s name that begins with letter “I” and the movie they worked on that we’ll review next week!