After provoking the wrong people, Miles wakes up to find himself with guns bolted to his hands and one simple instruction: kill Nix. It’s just another livestreamed 1v1 deathmatch from Schizm, an underground fight club. It serves as a thinly veiled commentary on society’s seemingly insatiable consumption of violent materials and how people are as disposable. And while those points are well worth exploring, what makes Guns Akimbo so engaging isn’t the message but the wrapper. It never dives particularly deep into its themes but gladly embraces an overly stylized aesthetic. The result is an experience that goes over the top in every way, for better and for worse. Characters, editing, cinematography, story, and especially violence. It is neon drenched graffiti splattered with blood.
Editor’s Note: We’re aware there is controversy around this film’s director, but want to acknowledge the work of the performers and others involved in its making.