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“Killer Heat” – Everything we know about the crazy mystery film

The perfect combination for most crime novels are exotic locations, rich people with secrets and a determined detective who is willing to do anything to find the truth. Look no further than Rian Johnson'S Knives out Franchise with Daniel Craig's Benoit Blanc or Kenneth BranaghAdaptations of Agatha ChristieCrime novels with Hercule Poirot. This exact recipe also applies to the upcoming Prime Video film Killer heatwhich will be seen this fall.




The film was first announced in April last year with the stars' attachments Shailene Woodley (Divergent), Joseph Gordon Levitt (Start), And Richard Madden (game of Thrones). In the Greek islands, a private detective named Nick Bali (Gordon-Levitt) is hired to investigate the death of wealthy mogul Leo Vardarkis (Madden). The deceased's sister-in-law, Penelope Vardarkis (Woodley), teams up with Bali because she believes Leo's death was more than an accident. What unfolds is a story of dark secrets, power, and twisted love.

Before the audience delves into this crime thriller, the following guide provides all the important information about what you need to know about Killer heat.


7 Is there a release date for “Killer Heat”?

Shailene Woodley leans against a vintage car in the desert and talks to Joseph Gordon-Levitt, wearing a fedora hat.
Image via Prime Video


The mystery drama celebrates its international premiere on September 26. After more than a year of post-production work since the start of filming Killer heat is finally available for fall releases. It joins the ranks of other films coming out in the last week of September, including The wild robot, leeAnd Big city.

6 Where can you watch “Killer Heat”?

Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Nick Bali looking through binoculars in Killer Heat.
Image via Prime Video

In contrast to the films mentioned above, there will be no theatrical release for Killer heatInstead, the film will be streamed exclusively on Prime Video. The film's running time is 1 hour and 36 minutes.

Watch on Prime Video

5 Watch the trailer for “Killer Heat”


The official trailer was released by Prime Video on September 12, offering audiences their first look at the Mediterranean-set mystery. It begins with the death of Leo following a supposed climbing accident. Detective Nick Bali lands in Greece to meet Penelope, who sends him on a trail to investigate Leo's death and that of his entire family. As Bali's personal issues bubble to the surface, he quickly becomes drawn into the hidden chaos and corruption that reigns on the island. The thematic message of “jealousy can drive anyone to the edge” is prevalent throughout the trailer, with elements of infidelity, deceit, and power surrounding the Vadarkis family.

4 Who plays the main role in “Killer Heat”?


As mentioned, the main roles in the film are played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Shailene Woodley and Richard Madden. Gordon-Levitt plays Nick Bali, an American private investigator who is invited by Penelope to investigate the death of her brother-in-law. His latest films include Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F And Greedy peopleHe also starred in two Apple TV+ projects, the film Flora and son and the series Mr Corman.

Woodley plays Penelope Vardarkis, the nosy wife of Elias Vardarkis. The actress recently starred in Stupid money And Ferrariand the Starz television series Three women. This is the second collaboration between Gordon-Levitt and Woodley after they worked together on the 2016 film Snowden. It was recently announced that she will play the lead role in an upcoming biopic about Janis Joplin.


Finally, Madden plays the dual role of wealthy British twins Elias and Leo. The brothers share wealth from the Vardarki family empire, which is stable in Greece. Unfortunately, Leo recently died in an alleged accident, but Bali is brought into the case to find out if there is more to it than suspected. This film is Madden's second project with Amazon Studios, following the spy action series citadelwhich is currently preparing a second season. His last film roles were in 1917 And Eternal.

The cast is rounded off by Clare Holman (betrayal), Babou Ceesay (Into the Badlands), And Abby Lee (Lovecraft Land). Holman is Audrey Vardarkis, the mother of Leo and Elias and the mother-in-law of Penelope. Ceesay plays Georges Mensah, the police chief who was in charge of Leo's investigation. Lee portrays a character named Monique, whose exact names remain secret.

3 What is the plot of “Killer Heat”?

Killer Heat - Shailene Woodley - The Great Adventure
Image via Prime Video YouTube


The plot of the film is based on the crime novel The jealous manwritten by Jo Nesbo. The 2021 novel is an anthology of short stories that revolve around thematic mysteries and suspenseful situations. The eponymous story is set in Greece and concerns a private detective, Nikos Balli, who suspects that a murder victim was killed by his own twin brother. Balli is nicknamed “The Jealous Man” because he specializes in identifying jealousy as a motive for certain crimes. This theme already plays a role in the film's trailer with the depiction of a chaotic love triangle between Penelope, Elias and possibly Leo. It also touches on Bali's problematic backstory, which seems to include experiences with infidelity. It remains to be seen how much Killer heat will draw from the book. The official synopsis from Prime Video is as follows:


A suspenseful contemporary crime thriller in classic noir style, KILLER HEAT follows private investigator Nick Bali (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), an American expat in Greece who is hired to investigate the suspected accidental death of young shipping magnate Leo Vardakis (Richard Madden) on the island of Crete. The victim's sister-in-law (Shailene Woodley) doesn't believe the official police report. But what exactly happened to Leo and why? Despite the sun-drenched beauty of the exotic Mediterranean setting, Nick encounters darkness everywhere: where the rich and powerful Vardakis family rules like gods, where jealousy runs high and everyone could be a suspect.

2 Who made “Killer Heat”?

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Clare Holman in Killer Heat
Image via Prime Video YouTube


The film was shot by Philippe Lacôtean Ivorian film director whose previous films include Night of Kings And Ran. Roberto Bentivegna (The House of Gucci) And Matt Charman (Bridge of Spies – The Negotiator) wrote and revised the screenplay for Killer heat with additional thanks to Jo Nesbø for his original novel. Nesbø joins the team of executive producers alongside Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Niclas Salomonsson (The informants), Tom Karnowski (Knives out), And Collin Creighton (OK). Brad Weston the production company Makeready also produced the film. The camera work was done by the BAFTA-winning cameraman Andrew Dunn (Advantages of being a wallflower), while the music was composed by Joseph Shirley (Creed III). The film was edited by Jay Cassidy (A star is born) And Neil Smith (The Crow).

1 When and where was “Killer Heat” filmed?

Shailene Woodley and Richard Madden at a funeral in Killer Heat.
Image via Prime Video


Filming began in May last year. The locations remained true to the setting of the story and were shot in Agios Nikolaos, Crete and Athens, Greece. In total, filming lasted over two months and was completed on July 6, 2023.

By Vanessa

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