68 Kill (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The movie primarily unfolds across several key locations in the American South, including the McKenzie Residence where a high-stakes burglary occurs, a dilapidated gas station that serves as a site of manipulation, and a rundown hotel that becomes a temporary refuge for Chip and Violet.

• setting
• movie locations
• mckenzie residence
• gas station
• hotel

The film is set in a contemporary, modern-day backdrop. While no specific year is given, the setting reflects present-day America, with themes of crime and betrayal resonating in a relatable, current context.

• time period
• modern
• contemporary setting
• year

The film explores how Chip's relationship with Liza traps him in a cycle of emotional and physical abuse. Liza's manipulative and controlling behavior demonstrates how difficult it is to break free from toxic entanglements, especially when love is intertwined with danger and dependency.

• toxic relationships
• abuse
• domestic violence
• liza chip dynamic

Greed acts as the main catalyst for the film's events, pushing characters to commit heists and betray one another. The pursuit of money exposes how self-interest and survival instincts override loyalty, making trust a rare and fragile commodity among the criminals.

• greed
• betrayal
• money
• heist
• selfishness

Violence serves as a primal mechanism for survival throughout the narrative. Characters face constant life-and-death situations that force them to react with extreme force, revealing the darker instincts that emerge when individuals are trapped in dangerous circumstances.

• violence
• survival
• death
• danger
• confrontation

Chip is the film's protagonist, a timid sewer worker trapped in a toxic relationship with his girlfriend Liza. He represents vulnerability and desperation for love, but as the story progresses, he is pushed to confront his darker instincts and ultimately transforms from a passive participant into a more assertive figure.

• chip
• protagonist
• main character
• matthew gray gubler

Liza is Chip's girlfriend and the dominant, manipulative force driving much of the conflict. A former prostitute with a troubled past, she uses control and abuse to maintain power over Chip. Her unpredictable and dangerous personality sets the chaotic events of the film in motion.

• liza
• antagonist
• villain
• alisha boe
• manipulative

Violet is a young woman who becomes Chip's unexpected ally as the story unfolds. She embodies resilience and sharp wit, contrasting with her traumatic past. Her resourcefulness and strength emerge as she navigates the dangerous situation alongside Chip, highlighting themes of camaraderie and survival.

• violet
• ally
• supporting character
• survival

Dwayne is a menacing figure with ties to Liza who represents the theme of violence and intimidation. His presence intensifies the chaos and forces characters like Chip to confront their fears, making lethal choices under extreme pressure. He serves as both a physical and psychological threat.

• dwayne
• threat
• villain
• violence
• intimidation

68 Kill blends multiple genres, thriller, comedy, romance, and crime, creating a darkly comedic crime narrative. The tone is predominantly dark, dealing with abuse, murder, and exploitation, but it is punctuated by cynical, dark humor that gives the film its distinctive edge.

• genre
• thriller
• comedy
• crime
• dark comedy
• tone

The film delivers a morally ambiguous conclusion, suggesting that escaping a toxic relationship often comes at a heavy personal cost. While Chip achieves a form of freedom, he does so by becoming complicit in violence and murder, leaving his victory morally compromised rather than triumphant.

• moral
• meaning
• ending
• resolution
• choices