The story of Killing Gunther
Killing Gunther throws us into the world of contract killers — but not the suave, competent kind you'd expect from a spy thriller. Instead, director and co-star Taran Killam crafts a mockumentary about a desperate crew of mediocre assassins who've set their sights on Gunther, the most legendary hitman alive. Arnold Schwarzenegger is Gunther, a figure so mythologized in underworld circles that his very existence feels like a ghost story. The film follows these would-be killers as they bumble their way through surveillance, failed attempts, and increasingly absurd situations — all while trying to stay one step ahead of a man who seems to exist on a completely different level of competence. It's a premise that borrows from workplace comedies and spy spoofs, mixing mockumentary style with action-comedy beats.
Behind the making of Killing Gunther
Taran Killam's directorial debut arrived in 2017 as a Canadian-American-British co-production, landing first on video-on-demand on September 22 before Saban Films gave it a limited theatrical push on October 20. The film's cast reads like a who's-who of comedy talent: alongside Schwarzenegger and Killam, you've got Bobby Moynihan (Saturday Night Live), Hannah Simone (The New Girl), and Peter Kelamis rounding out the ensemble of incompetent assassins. Killam wrote the script himself, which means he was betting heavily on a specific comedic vision — one that hinged on the contrast between Schwarzenegger's deadpan legend status and everyone else's desperation. The 93-minute runtime keeps things brisk, though that brevity also meant there wasn't much room for character development or plot complexity. As Variety reported at the time, the film's marketing leaned hard on Schwarzenegger's presence, which made commercial sense but arguably set audience expectations in a direction the film couldn't quite deliver on.
What makes Killing Gunther stand out
Here's where things get interesting — and complicated. The mockumentary format itself is a smart choice because it allows the film to play with documentary conventions in ways that feel fresher than a straight action-comedy would. Schwarzenegger, honestly, is genuinely charming in the role. He leans into the absurdity without winking at the camera too much, treating Gunther as a legitimate master of his craft even when everything around him is falling apart. The ensemble cast clearly understood the assignment: they're supposed to be funny, earnest, and utterly outmatched all at once. What's striking is that the film clearly wanted to be something like Barry meets The Office — a workplace comedy about people who happen to kill for a living — but it can't quite find the tonal sweet spot between mockumentary sincerity and action-comedy spectacle. Some viewers found the ensemble chemistry engaging enough to carry them through, while others felt the film was trying to do too many things at once without mastering any single one. The IMDb rating of 4.7/10 suggests the film landed closer to the latter camp for most audiences.
Where to stream Killing Gunther online
You can currently watch Killing Gunther on Netflix, making it accessible to anyone with a subscription to that platform. Movie OTT tracks real-time streaming availability across all major services, so if you're looking for where a title lives at any given moment, that's your resource. Netflix's algorithm might not surface this one prominently — it's not exactly a flagship title — but it's there if you search for it or stumble across it while browsing. The Where-to-Watch widget at the top of this page will show you the most current platform availability, since streaming rights shift constantly. If you've got a Netflix account, you're good to go.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Who directed Killing Gunther?
Taran Killam wrote and directed the film in his feature directorial debut. He also stars in it alongside Schwarzenegger, playing one of the incompetent assassins trying to take down the legendary Gunther.
Q: Is Killing Gunther based on a true story?
No, it's entirely fictional. The film is an original comedy concept about fictional assassins attempting to kill a fictional (though legendary within the film's universe) hitman played by Schwarzenegger.
Q: How long is Killing Gunther?
The film runs 93 minutes, keeping the mockumentary-action-comedy format relatively tight and brisk without much room for subplot sprawl.
Q: What's the IMDb rating for Killing Gunther?
The film holds a 4.7/10 rating on IMDb, suggesting mixed-to-negative reception from general audiences, though some viewers appreciated its ensemble cast and Schwarzenegger's performance.
Q: When was Killing Gunther released?
The film premiered on video-on-demand on September 22, 2017, followed by a limited theatrical release on October 20, 2017, through Saban Films.
Final thoughts on Killing Gunther
Killing Gunther is a film that swings for the fences and doesn't quite connect — but it's not without charm. If you're drawn to ensemble comedy casts, appreciate Schwarzenegger's willingness to be playful with his action-hero persona, or just want something light and silly to watch, it's worth a shot on Netflix. Don't expect a tightly plotted thriller or a laugh-out-loud comedy classic. Expect instead a scrappy, ambitious project that shows real affection for its premise even when the execution gets messy. Sometimes that's enough.
