Destroyer

Erin Bell, a seasoned detective, carries the wreckage of an undercover operation that went terribly wrong, breaking her confidence and her career. Years later she returns to the shadows of that past, determined to face the memories she buried. While investigating a new case, she finds that the line between friend and foe has grown dangerously blurry and that the people she trusted once are now suspect. As clues surface, Erin must weigh loyalty against truth, and the hunt pulls her into a confrontation that could redefine who she is and what she's willing to lose.

Directed by Karyn Kusama with a screenplay by Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay, Destroyer is an original crime thriller not adapted from any prior work. It features Nicole Kidman as Erin Bell, alongside Toby Kebbell, Tatiana Maslany, Sebastian Stan, and Scoot McNairy. The film screened for audiences in 2018 and marks Kusama's return to gritty crime drama.

Kidman delivers a bruised, relentless performance that anchors the film's tough mood. Kusama favors a grounded, tactile approach over flash, turning a procedural into a stormy character study. Erin Bell's scars, both seen and felt, drive the tension as the camera lingers on awkward silences, bruised interiors, and quiet, devastating revelations. The movie stands as a standout example of a female led noir that blends psychological depth with clinical realism.

Critics highlighted its hard boiled atmosphere, blunt depiction of trauma, and focus on consequences rather than action. Themes of memory, guilt, and the cost of erasing the past run through the film, giving Erin a raw, uneasy center that lingers after the credits. Some reviews noted Kusama's insistence on practical details, from the grittiness of street scenes to the weight of character choices, which gives the film a distinct texture amid typical crime thrillers.

Box office: Destroyer had a restrained release and a modest gross, reflecting its niche appeal rather than wide mass audience reach. While not a blockbuster, the film drew attention from critics and genre fans for Kidman's central performance and Kusama's stark direction.