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The Killing of Two Lovers (2021): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Killing of Two Lovers (2021) movie poster

The Killing of Two Lovers is a 2021 drama directed by Robert Machoian, starring Clayne Crawford as David, Chris Coy and Avery Pizzuto. It runs 1 hour 25 minutes and earned $113,649 worldwide. Critics gave it 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.

IMDb rating
6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
93%
worldwide gross
$113.6K
Echo Score
70
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The Killing of Two Lovers (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 25m (85 min)
Director
Robert Machoian
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
Studio
Neon
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Killing of Two Lovers About?

The premise of The Killing of Two Lovers without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

While trying to repair his marriage and family, David agrees to an arrangement where he can see other people while his wife, Nikki, explores a new relationship. This unsettling drama explores the complexities of separation, desire, and the difficult choices made when a relationship begins to unravel. The film examines the emotional toll on everyone involved as they navigate a precarious path toward an uncertain future, revealing the devastating consequences of each decision.

The Killing of Two Lovers Themes & Keywords

· 7 tags
  • separation
  • family relationships
  • husband wife relationship
  • parents
  • male female relationship
  • parent child relationship
  • five word title
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Cast & crew

The Killing of Two Lovers Cast & Characters

Clayne Crawford leads the cast as David, with Chris Coy as Derek and Avery Pizzuto as Jess. Directed by Robert Machoian; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Killing of Two Lovers

· 6 more
From the director

More from Robert Machoian

More films directed by Robert Machoian, best-rated first: The Integrity of Joseph Chambers, The Killers: Notes From A Quiet Town, When She Runs and God Bless the Child.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Killing of Two Lovers Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Killing of Two Lovers 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 70/100, strongest in art & craft (78) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

70 /100

The Killing of Two Lovers Echo Score Breakdown

The film elicits a mixed but generally favorable response, anchored by a strong central performance and distinctive visual choices. Critics commend the direction, cinematography, and atmospheric tone, while some note narrative gaps and uneven execution. Audience reactions echo this polarity, praising the stark aesthetics and emotional intensity yet questioning plot resolution and occasional soundtrack intrusiveness. Consequently, the work stands as a compelling, if imperfect, character study that resonates more on mood than on story completeness.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of art and craft, reviewers highlight the film's meticulous framing, 4:3 aspect ratio, and crisp cinematography. Critics note Machoian's studied scene composition and clear visual language, and users echo the striking starkness of the rural setting. A minority point to technical shortcomings, but the consensus affirms a high level of visual craftsmanship.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When evaluating character and emotion, the lead performance receives consistent praise for its intensity and nuance. Both critics and viewers describe Crawford's portrayal as riveting and emotionally volatile. However, several comments mention underdeveloped supporting roles and limited backstory for the wife, leading to a balanced view of strong central acting amid weaker ensemble depth.

  • Story & Flow 65

    Story and flow draw mixed reactions; the premise and psychological tension are praised, yet many note an unsatisfying resolution and loose narrative threads. Critics cite an unfinished psychological knot, and some audience members describe the ending as open‑ended and underwhelming. Originality and character‑driven pacing are acknowledged, but narrative cohesion remains a point of contention.

  • Sensory Experience 68

    Sensory experience is praised for its raw vérité style, atmospheric sound design, and evocative score that heightens tension. Critics commend the naturalistic soundscape, while some users find the percussive soundtrack intrusive. Visual style, including the austere color palette and tight framing, is widely admired, balancing the occasional criticism of auditory choices.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Rewatch factor receives moderate support; the film’s lingering mood and strong central performance encourage repeat viewings for some. Critics note its compelling portrait and lasting impression, whereas several users describe it as underwhelming after an initial watch, citing unresolved plot points. Overall, the work holds modest replay appeal, largely dependent on individual tolerance for its slow, atmospheric pacing.

Plot

The Killing of Two Lovers Plot Summary

What happens in The Killing of Two Lovers from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In a rural Utah town, a struggling father of four, David, finds himself confronting the fallout of his separation from his wife, Nikki. As tensions rise with Derek, Nikki’s new co-worker and boyfriend, David’s emotions spiral out of control. One fateful morning, upon discovering Nikki and Derek asleep in their bed, David contemplates a violent reprisal with his gun but ultimately chooses restraint, seeking refuge at his father’s home to regroup and ponder his next steps.

Full summary

The whole story of The Killing of Two Lovers, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Killing of Two Lovers Box Office

The Killing of Two Lovers grossed $113,649 worldwide. $71,162 came from the US and Canada and $42,487 (37%) from the rest of the world.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$113.6K

US & Canada
$71.2K
International
$42.5K
US & Canada 63% Rest of the world 37%
Videos

The Killing of Two Lovers Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 1 trailer, 1 clip and 2 featurettes.

Official Trailer
  • Clip David Breaks Into Nikki's House
  • Featurette The Killing of Two Lovers Q&A with Robert Machoian and Clayne Crawford
  • Featurette Mark Kermode reviews The Killing of Two Lovers (2020)
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Killing of Two Lovers?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What state does the movie take place in?

Cars

Cars in The Killing of Two Lovers

12 cars on screen, including the 1990 Ford F-150 and the 2014 Blue Bird All American.

All 12 cars
  • 1990 Ford F-150 in The Killing of Two Lovers 1990 Ford F-150 Main role
  • 2014 Blue Bird All American in The Killing of Two Lovers 2014 Blue Bird All American Minor role
  • Chevrolet C/K-Series in The Killing of Two Lovers Chevrolet C/K-Series Minor role
  • 2005 Ford F-Series Super Duty in The Killing of Two Lovers 2005 Ford F-Series Super Duty Minor role
Details

The Killing of Two Lovers Also Known As

13 alternative titles, including “킬링 오브 투 러버스” and “杀死两个恋人”.

Also known as
  • 킬링 오브 투 러버스
  • 杀死两个恋人
  • El asesinato de dos amantes
  • A Morte de Dois Amantes
  • Убийство двух любовников
  • İki Aşığın Ölümü
  • Zabójstwo dwojga kochanków
  • Vražda dvou milenců
  • Két szerető meggyilkolása
  • Uciderea a doi iubiți
  • מותם של שני אהובים
  • L’assassinat de dos amants
+1 more
  • 殺死兩個戀人

Seen The Killing of Two Lovers?

FAQ

The Killing of Two Lovers FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Killing of Two Lovers, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Killing of Two Lovers?

The Killing of Two Lovers runs 1 hour 25 minutes (85 minutes).

When was The Killing of Two Lovers released?

The Killing of Two Lovers was released on May 14, 2021.

Who directed The Killing of Two Lovers?

The Killing of Two Lovers was directed by Robert Machoian.

More films by Robert Machoian

Who is in the cast of The Killing of Two Lovers?

The Killing of Two Lovers stars Clayne Crawford as David, Chris Coy as Derek and Avery Pizzuto as Jess, among 10 credited actors.

How much did The Killing of Two Lovers make at the box office?

The Killing of Two Lovers grossed $113,649 worldwide ($71,162 domestic, $42,487 international).

How is The Killing of Two Lovers rated?

The Killing of Two Lovers has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 82 on Metacritic and 64% on TMDB.

Does The Killing of Two Lovers have a post-credit scene?

No. The Killing of Two Lovers has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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