Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Graphic
- provocative
- sleazy
- darkly comic
- true crime night
- independent film night
What critics said
Critics generally found the film well cast and occasionally witty, but divided over its shallow characterization, uneven pacing, and sensationalized treatment of the real-life crime.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film dramatizes Sean Paul Lockhart's early career and the murder associated with rival producers while Lockhart criticized its inaccuracies.
The central conflict unfolds among a gay porn performer, his producer, and competing producers seeking commercial control.
Sean's public persona and sexual labor become commodities contested by producers and rivals.
Sean's decision to become a free agent triggers the producers' efforts to profit from him by any means possible.
Films like King Cobra, and why
The Iceman
shared true-crime subject matter, queer themes, murder plot, and darkly comic crime-drama tone
Lovelace
shared biographical crime-drama approach, sexual subculture setting, and morally volatile characters
Killer Joe
shared queer subject matter, provocative sexuality, criminal underworld, and stylized dark humor
Movie Details
- Director
- Justin Kelly
- Release Date
- 2016-10-21
- Runtime
- 93 min
- Rating
- 5.8 / 10 (494)
Cast
- Garrett Clayton
- Christian Slater
- Keegan Allen
- James Franco
- Alicia Silverstone
- Molly Ringwald
- Spencer Rocco Lofranco
- Sean Grandillo
- Rosemary Howard
- Edward Crawford
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC+, Sundance Now
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is King Cobra about?
- A provocative true-crime drama follows a gay porn star's bid for independence as rival producers turn ambition and exploitation into lethal conflict.
- What is King Cobra like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of King Cobra as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is King Cobra violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in King Cobra as graphic.
- What did critics think of King Cobra?
- Critics generally found the film well cast and occasionally witty, but divided over its shallow characterization, uneven pacing, and sensationalized treatment of the real-life crime.
- Which films are like King Cobra?
- Films with a similar feel include The Iceman, Lovelace, and Killer Joe.
- How long is King Cobra?
- King Cobra runs 93 minutes.
- Where can I watch King Cobra?
- In United States, King Cobra streams on Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC+, Sundance Now.
