Natural Born Killers (1994)

Natural Born Killers (1994)

Natural Born Killers (1994), directed by Oliver Stone, is a dark, controversial, and satirical crime drama that explores the intersection of violence, media sensationalism, and fame. The film features a star-studded cast including Woody Harrelson, Juliette Lewis, Robert Downey Jr., Tommy Lee Jones, and Tom Sizemore. Known for its unique style, Natural Born Killers was a bold cinematic statement on the American obsession with crime and celebrity. Its frenetic energy, mixed media techniques, and intense performances make it a landmark in 1990s cinema.

The film follows Mickey and Mallory Knox (played by Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis), a young couple who embark on a killing spree across the American Southwest. Their violent actions, fueled by a combination of trauma, love, and nihilism, quickly attract the attention of the media, which turns them into notorious figures. The movie is not just about their crime spree but also about the way the media amplifies their notoriety, presenting them as tragic heroes for a public hungry for sensationalism. The film presents their journey as a mix of love, violence, and madness, constantly questioning the moral fabric of society and its obsession with violence.

One of the central themes of Natural Born Killers is its critique of the media and its role in glorifying violence. The film portrays the media as an essential force in shaping public perception, suggesting that crime and murder are treated as entertainment rather than tragedy. Robert Downey Jr. plays a sensationalist television reporter, Wayne Gale, who follows Mickey and Mallory, using their rampage to boost his own fame. Stone uses a combination of exaggerated visuals, frenetic editing, and parody to show how the media feeds off tragedy, creating a spectacle that dehumanizes both the perpetrators and the victims. This commentary on the media’s role in the glorification of violence is one of the film’s most striking and enduring elements.

Natural Born Killers is visually arresting and stylistically unconventional, using a variety of cinematic techniques that set it apart from typical crime films. The film is known for its bold use of color, split screens, and rapid editing, which create a sense of disorientation and chaos. Stone often switches between black-and-white footage, vibrant color palettes, and even animation, blurring the lines between reality and media fabrication. This stylistic approach enhances the film’s thematic concerns, suggesting that reality itself has become fragmented and distorted, much like the media portrayals of violence and celebrity.


The film is powered by the strong performances of its lead actors, especially Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis. Harrelson’s portrayal of Mickey is both terrifying and charismatic, embodying a character who is simultaneously a product of societal failure and a willing participant in violence. Lewis’s performance as Mallory is equally compelling, as she brings a fierce energy to the role of a young woman who has been shaped by trauma and is desperately searching for love in a chaotic world. The chemistry between Harrelson and Lewis is electric, making their relationship both disturbing and deeply sympathetic. The supporting cast, including Robert Downey Jr. as the sleazy reporter, adds depth to the film’s critique of the media.


At its heart, Natural Born Killers is a tragic love story, set against the backdrop of mindless violence. Mickey and Mallory’s bond is portrayed as both toxic and romantic, with their shared desire for revenge and escape from their pasts making them co-dependent and dangerous. Their spree of murder, in a twisted way, becomes an act of defiance against a society that they feel has wronged them. The film asks whether love can exist in a world so consumed by violence, presenting the couple as both victims of their circumstances and agents of destruction. Their love is an escape from a world that offers no answers, but it is also what propels them further into madness.


Natural Born Killers remains a provocative and challenging film that pushes the boundaries of traditional crime drama. Through its exploration of media manipulation, violence, and the destructive nature of fame, Oliver Stone’s film offers a biting critique of American culture. With its unforgettable performances, innovative style, and thought-provoking themes, Natural Born Killers is a film that continues to resonate, raising questions about the role of the media in shaping perceptions of crime and morality. Despite its controversial nature, it remains a landmark in the genre, offering a chilling portrait of love, violence, and the media’s insatiable thirst for spectacle.

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain


Hoxne Hoard treasures. Photo by Helen Simonsson CC by SA-2.0
November 16, 1992 was the day which changed Suffolk-resident Eric Lawes’ life in a huge way. What he thought would have been an innocent search for a hammer he had misplaced on his farm in Hoxne Village, Suffolk, England ended up bringing him much more than he had bargained for — namely, uncovering the hiding spot of a long-hidden treasure. Based on the Guardian’s coverage of the story, Eric Lawes had been previously gifted a metal detector upon his retirement as a parting token. He decided to put his retirement gift to good use in order to locate the hammer which he had had some trouble finding. According to a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article, when the device started recording that there was a strong signal coming from the earth, he knew that he was about to discover something big. As he started digging, it soon became clear to him that he had unearthed a treasure trove.
Hoxne Village. Photo by Duncan Grey CC BY-SA 2.0
Hoxne Village. Photo by Duncan Grey CC BY-SA 2.0
The Guardian reports that, when Lawes saw that his preliminary digging had yielded a few gold coins and silver spoons, he immediately contacted both the local archaeological society and the police department. Archaeologists came to the property the following day and had the area of earth holding the treasure carefully sectioned-off and removed. Their hope was that at a later stage, in their laboratory, they could examined the items in order to identify both their age and how they were stored.
Hoxne Hoard: Display case at the British Museum showing a reconstruction of the arrangement of the hoard treasure when excavated in 1992. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
Hoxne Hoard: Display case at the British Museum showing a reconstruction of the arrangement of the hoard treasure when excavated in 1992. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
When all was said and done, close to 60 pounds of items made from silver and gold were found on the site. These included more than 15,000 Roman coins, 200 gold objects, and several silver spoons. For archaeologists, this find — which later became labeled as the Hoxne Hoard — was an incredible discovery. AP News reported that archaeologist Judith Plouviez was over-the-moon about the discovery, saying that it was “an incredibly exciting and amazing find.” What’s more, another archaeologist, Rachel Wilkinson, told Smithsonian Magazine that this discovery was “the largest and latest ever found in Britain.”
Hoxne Hoard: Coins. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
Hoxne Hoard: Coins. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
Ordinarily, archaeologists would use radiocarbon dating as a means of identifying the age of ancient relics. However, they couldn’t locate any suitable material from the haul. Consequently, they determined the age by examining writing on the coins, as well as the ruler carved into them, estimating that the treasure was probably buried in either 408 or 409 AD.
The silver “Hoxne Tigress” – the broken-off handle from an unknown object – is the best known single piece out of some 15,000 in the hoard. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
The silver “Hoxne Tigress” – the broken-off handle from an unknown object – is the best known single piece out of some 15,000 in the hoard. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
Roman-era archaeologist Peter Guest told Smithsonian Magazine that “if you look at them a little more carefully, then they should be dated to the period after the separation of Britain from the Roman Empire.” He offers as part of his evidence the fact that almost all of the coins found in the Hoxne Hoard were clipped – in other words, small chunks of their edges had been taken off. These clippings would have been used to create coins which were similar to the Roman coins of that era.
A silver-gilt spoon with a marine beast from the Hoxne Hoard. Currently in the British Museum. Photo by JMiall CC BY-SA 3.0
A silver-gilt spoon with a marine beast from the Hoxne Hoard. Currently in the British Museum. Photo by JMiall CC BY-SA 3.0
Guest has a logical reason for this, arguing that “The Roman Empire wasn’t supplying Britain with new gold and silver coins, and in light of that, the population tried to get over this sudden cutoff in the supply of their precious metals by making the existing supplies go further.”
Reconstruction of the Hoxne treasure chest. Photo by Mike Peel CC-BY-SA-4.0
Reconstruction of the Hoxne treasure chest. Photo by Mike Peel CC-BY-SA-4.0
Archaeologists also believe that the treasure belonged to a Romano-British family. During that time, considering that there was so much societal discord and upheaval, it was common for Romans who had settled in Britain to bury their most prized possessions.
Two gold bracelets from the Hoxne Hoard, in the British Museum. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0
Two gold bracelets from the Hoxne Hoard, in the British Museum. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0
That said, one archaeologist is of the belief that the hoard had a lot of sentimental value for the Romano-British family to whom it is believed to have belonged. In her book The Hoxne Late Roman Treasure: Gold Jewellery and Silver Plate, Catherine Johns claims that the manner in which the treasure was kept supported this claim. Some of the items which were recovered had been packaged in small, wooden boxes which were lined with leather. What’s more, pieces of wood, locks, and nails, among other things, surrounded the gold and silver pieces. This leads Catherine to assert that the package was carefully buried and not simply chucked away in a rush.
Three silver-gilt Roman piperatoria or pepper pots from the Hoxne Hoard on display at the British Museum
Three silver-gilt Roman piperatoria or pepper pots from the Hoxne Hoard on display at the British Museum
Interestingly enough, the items unearthed might shed some light on the identity of the family who owned them. They cite a gold bracelet bearing the inscription “UTERE FELIX DOMINA IULIANE,” which roughly translates to “use this happily Lady Juliane”. A second name “Aurelius Ursicinus” has also been discovered. This has consequently led some to believe that Juliane and Aurelius were the couple and the original owners of the treasure. That said, that has yet to be confirmed.
Two toiletry items, one in the shape of a crane-like bird; the other with an empty socket, probably for bristles for a makeup brush. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0
Two toiletry items, one in the shape of a crane-like bird; the other with an empty socket, probably for bristles for a makeup brush. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0
All in all, the discovery was a real treasure for archaeologists, and by extension, for Lawes. According to Smithsonian Magazine, in recognition of his discovery and willingness to contact authorities, the British government rewarded him with over £1.7 million, an amount which he shared with the farmer whose land was dug out in order to get the treasure. Funnily enough, apart from the treasure, Lawes also found his lost hammer — which now resides in the British Museum.

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