top of page
Search

Streaming: Kill Will (2026) by Dave Fairman: An indie action comedy where witness protection fails and retired assassin runs with civilian girlfriend

Summary of the Movie:Witness protection compromised—two hitmen arrive—then retired assassin and girlfriend sprint for survival

Will thought he escaped his assassin past through witness protection in small quiet town. Then his location gets compromised and two professional killers descend on his new life. Suddenly Will and his girlfriend Annie are running for their lives, trying to reach Will's handler before the hitmen finish the job and murder the rest of Will's former crew. Dave Fairman writes and directs this indie action comedy where retired killer's attempt at normal life explodes into desperate chase, forcing civilian girlfriend into violent world she never signed up for while Will's past catches up faster than either can outrun.

Former assassin hiding in witness protection—location leaked—hitmen arrive and the running begins.

  • Genre: Action comedy crime—witness protection failure premise where retired assassin's quiet new life becomes desperate survival run with civilian girlfriend

  • Movie plot: Former assassin Will (Matthew Swift) living in witness protection in small hometown with girlfriend Annie (Ashley Killips) discovers his location has been compromised when two hitmen arrive to eliminate him; forced on the run together, Will and Annie must escape the professional killers and reach Will's handler before they're murdered along with the rest of Will's former crew who are also being targeted; civilian Annie thrust into violent assassin world while Will's skills from past life become only thing keeping them alive

  • Movie themes: Impossible escape from violent pasts, witness protection as fragile illusion of safety, forcing civilian partners into danger they never agreed to, whether retired killers can ever truly leave that life, protecting loved ones when your history becomes their death sentence

  • Movie trend: Indie action comedies about retired assassins—low-budget films using humor to offset violence while exploring whether killers can ever retire

  • Social trend: Reflects fascination with witness protection failures and whether dangerous pasts can ever be truly left behind—new identities as temporary solutions rather than permanent escapes

  • Movie director: Dave Fairman writes and directs indie action comedy, suggesting personal vision with limited resources—filmmaker wearing multiple hats typical of low-budget productions

  • Top casting: Matthew Swift as Will, Ashley Killips as Annie lead small ensemble including Tom Storer as Brooks, Trevor Penn, Abi Van Andel, Ian Griffin in supporting roles—indie production with unknown actors

  • Awards and recognition: No ratings or reviews available yet—appears to be micro-budget independent production with limited distribution

  • Release and availability: Release details unclear—small indie production likely seeking festival circuit or streaming distribution rather than theatrical

  • Why to watch movie: If you want scrappy indie take on retired assassin premise—low-budget execution focusing on character dynamics and comedy over expensive action spectacle

  • Key Success Factors: Indie charm of limited resources forcing creative solutions; comedy offsetting violence typical of bigger-budget assassin films; civilian girlfriend Annie forced into dangerous world creating fish-out-of-water dynamics; Will's handler and former crew being hunted creates ticking clock beyond just personal survival

Insights: Witness protection only works until it doesn't—then retired assassins and civilian girlfriends run together or die together

Industry Insight: Micro-budget indie action comedies about retired assassins prove premise doesn't require huge budgets—core concept of violent past catching up works at any production scale. Consumer Insight: Indie films using humor to offset violence create accessible entry points for action premises that might be too intense played straight—comedy provides relief valve. Brand Insight: Fairman writing and directing suggests personal indie vision—filmmaker controlling all creative aspects typical of micro-budget productions where resources require single point of creative leadership.

Limited information available suggests micro-budget independent production. The premise (witness protection compromised, hitmen hunting retired assassin and girlfriend) is straightforward action-comedy territory that's been explored in bigger films but here executed on indie scale. Comedy genre tag suggests tone balancing violence with humor—typical approach for low-budget action where spectacle is impossible but personality and wit can compensate. The civilian girlfriend Annie being forced into assassin world creates fish-out-of-water dynamics and emotional stakes beyond just Will's survival. Multiple targets (Will's former crew also being hunted) expands scope beyond just protagonist's personal danger. The small hometown setting likely chosen for practical production reasons (locations available to indie filmmakers) but serves story by isolating characters from easy help or resources.

Why It Is Trending: It isn't—micro-budget indie seeking audience through grassroots discovery

Kill Will doesn't appear to be trending or widely known—this is micro-budget independent production likely seeking festival circuit exposure or direct-to-streaming distribution. The premise (retired assassin's witness protection compromised) is familiar territory executed on indie scale with unknown actors and limited resources.

  • Concept → consequence: Witness protection failure premise creates instant stakes—retired assassin's location compromised means running or dying, with civilian girlfriend pulled into violence

  • Culture → visibility: Indie action comedies about retired killers are crowded subgenre—this production competing against both bigger-budget versions and other indie entries for audience attention

  • Distribution → discovery: Unclear release strategy suggests seeking festival circuit, streaming platforms, or VOD rather than theatrical—typical path for micro-budget action films

  • Timing → perception: No clear release window or distribution—indie production likely still seeking buyers or platform placement

  • Performance → relatability: Unknown cast limits initial draw—indie films rely on word-of-mouth and festival buzz rather than star power to find audiences

Insights: Retired assassin premise works at any budget—but micro-indies need something special to stand out in crowded field

Industry Insight: Micro-budget action comedies prove premise scalability—core concept of violent past catching up doesn't require expensive spectacle to work when character dynamics are strong. Consumer Insight: Indie audiences seek scrappy charm and creative solutions compensating for limited resources—personality and wit mattering more than production polish. Brand Insight: Writer-director control typical of micro-budget productions—Fairman handling both roles signals personal vision constrained by available resources requiring creative efficiency.

Kill Will faces challenge all micro-budget indie action films encounter: how to stand out in subgenre (retired assassins, witness protection failures, civilian girlfriends thrust into danger) that's been explored extensively by bigger productions with resources for spectacle. The comedy angle helps differentiate—humor offsetting violence creates accessible tone while also being cheaper to execute than sustained action sequences. The girlfriend Annie being forced to run with Will creates emotional investment beyond just protagonist survival. Expanding targets to include Will's former crew adds urgency (must reach handler before everyone's killed) while also potentially limiting scope (can't show multiple simultaneous hunts on micro-budget). Success will depend on word-of-mouth from festivals or streaming discovery rather than traditional marketing campaigns indie productions can't afford.

What Movie Trend Is Followed: Indie action comedies about retired assassins trying to escape violent pasts

Kill Will belongs to micro-budget independent films using retired assassin premises—familiar territory about killers trying to leave that life, witness protection failures, and civilian partners thrust into danger. The trend exists at all budget levels but indie versions rely on character dynamics and humor over expensive action spectacle.

  • Format lifecycle: Retired assassin premise has existed across budget levels—from John Wick's blockbuster execution through mid-budget versions to micro-indie interpretations focusing on character over spectacle

  • Aesthetic logic: Comedy offsetting violence makes limited action sequences acceptable—audiences forgive lower production values when tone is lighter and character dynamics compensate for expensive set pieces

  • Psychological effect: Civilian girlfriend forced into assassin world creates fish-out-of-water comedy while also generating emotional stakes—her vulnerability matters more than Will's professional competence

  • Genre inheritance: Pulls from countless retired assassin films, witness protection failure thrillers, action comedies balancing violence with humor, indie productions using personality to overcome budget limitations

Insights: Retired assassin premise works at any budget when character dynamics are strong enough to overcome spectacle limitations

Industry Insight: Micro-budget action films prove concepts scale down—core premises about violent pasts catching up work without expensive sequences when character work is solid. Consumer Insight: Indie audiences accepting lower production values when tone and personality compensate—comedy provides permission to forgive limited resources. Brand Insight: Writer-director wearing multiple hats typical of micro-budgets—creative control concentrated in one person when resources don't allow specialized department heads.

Kill Will executes familiar premise (retired assassin in witness protection, location compromised, hitmen arrive, must run with civilian girlfriend) on micro-budget indie scale. The challenge is making this feel fresh when concept has been explored extensively. Comedy helps—lighter tone differentiating from grim serious versions while also being cheaper to execute than sustained action spectacle. Annie as civilian thrust into violence creates emotional center and fish-out-of-water dynamics. Expanding threats to Will's former crew (also being hunted) adds urgency to reaching handler. Success depends on execution exceeding limited resources through strong character work, witty dialogue, and creative action solutions that acknowledge budget constraints rather than pretending to compete with bigger productions.

Trends 2026: Micro-budget action finding audiences through streaming platforms and festival circuits

Independent action comedies about retired assassins continue finding small but dedicated audiences through streaming discovery and festival exposure. As production technology becomes more accessible, micro-budget filmmakers tackle action premises previously reserved for bigger budgets, relying on character dynamics and humor to overcome spectacle limitations.

Implications:

Micro-budget action films prove concept scalability—retired assassin premises working at any resource level when character work is strong. Streaming platforms providing distribution outlets indie action couldn't access when theatrical was only option—VOD and subscription services enabling smaller films to find niche audiences. Comedy as indie action strategy—lighter tone making limited action sequences acceptable while providing cheaper alternative to sustained spectacle.

Where it is visible (industry):

Festival circuits programming indie action comedies as alternatives to blockbuster spectacle—scrappy personality-driven films finding audiences seeking different approaches. Streaming platforms licensing micro-budget action for content libraries—services needing volume creating opportunities for indie productions. Writer-directors controlling multiple aspects typical of resource-constrained productions—creative efficiency when budgets don't allow department specialization.

Related movie trends:

  • Micro-budget action comedies - Independent films tackling action premises through humor and character dynamics rather than expensive spectacle

  • Retired assassin indie versions - Low-budget takes on familiar premise about killers trying to escape pasts, relying on wit over violence

  • Witness protection failures - Stories where new identities and government protection prove inadequate when determined killers track targets down

  • Civilian partners thrust into violence - Fish-out-of-water dynamics when normal people forced into assassin worlds they never signed up for

Related consumer trends:

  • Indie action appetite - Audiences seeking scrappy personality-driven alternatives to blockbuster spectacle—valuing character work over production polish

  • Streaming discovery habits - Viewers finding micro-budget films through platform recommendations and festival buzz rather than traditional marketing

  • Comedy as action entry point - Lighter tones making violence more accessible while providing relief valve for tension

  • Underdog film appreciation - Audiences responding positively to limited-resource productions punching above their weight through creativity

The Trends: Assassin premises work at any budget—just need strong character dynamics to overcome spectacle limitations

Trend Type

Trend Name

Description

Implications

Core Movie Trend

Micro-budget indie action comedies

Films tackling action premises on minimal resources through character dynamics and humor rather than expensive spectacle

Proves concepts scale down when execution focuses on strengths—personality and wit compensating for limited action sequences

Core Consumer Trend

Streaming indie discovery

Audiences finding micro-budget action through platform recommendations and festival buzz rather than traditional marketing

Removes theatrical barrier for tiny productions—VOD and streaming creating distribution outlets previously inaccessible

Core Social Trend

Retired assassin premise ubiquity

Familiar concept of killers trying to escape violent pasts explored across all budget levels from blockbusters to micro-indies

Shows premise versatility—core idea about inescapable pasts resonating regardless of production scale or approach

Core Strategy

Comedy offsetting limited resources

Using humor to make smaller action sequences acceptable while providing cheaper alternative to sustained spectacle

Lighter tones create permission for audiences to forgive budget constraints when character work and wit compensate

Core Motivation

Civilian partner vulnerability**

Girlfriend thrust into assassin world creates emotional stakes and fish-out-of-water comedy compensating for limited action

Non-professional forced into violence generates investment beyond protagonist survival—her danger matters more than his competence

Insights: Witness protection fails, hitmen arrive, retired assassin runs with girlfriend—premise works but needs execution exceeding limited resources

Industry Insight: Writer-director control typical of micro-budgets—Fairman handling both roles signals creative efficiency when resources don't allow specialized departments. Consumer Insight: Indie audiences valuing scrappy charm over production polish—seeking personality-driven alternatives to blockbuster spectacle. Brand Insight: Unknown cast limiting initial draw—indie films relying on word-of-mouth and festival buzz rather than star power for audience discovery.

Kill Will represents micro-budget independent action comedy tackling familiar premise (retired assassin, witness protection compromised, civilian girlfriend forced to run) through limited resources. Success depends on execution exceeding budget through strong character work, witty dialogue, and creative action solutions acknowledging constraints. Comedy helps—lighter tone differentiating from grim versions while making limited sequences acceptable. Annie's fish-out-of-water vulnerability creates emotional center. Expanding threats to Will's former crew adds urgency. Distribution likely through festivals and streaming rather than theatrical. The challenge facing all micro-indie action: standing out in crowded field where bigger productions have tackled same premises with more resources.

Final Verdict: Micro-budget indie action tackling familiar premise—success depends on execution exceeding limited resources

Kill Will won't compete with John Wick or bigger-budget assassin films on spectacle—it's micro-independent production where success depends on character dynamics, humor, and creative solutions compensating for minimal resources. The premise (witness protection failure, hitmen hunting retired assassin and girlfriend) is familiar but potentially effective at any budget level.

  • Meaning: Violent pasts can't be escaped through witness protection and new identities—retired assassins' histories eventually catch up forcing them back into lives they tried leaving

  • Relevance: Micro-budget action proving accessible to independent filmmakers as technology improves—concepts previously requiring studio resources now executable on indie scales

  • Endurance: Streaming platforms providing distribution outlets micro-budget action couldn't access when theatrical was only option—VOD creating audience access regardless of production size

  • Legacy: Represents ongoing indie attempts to tackle action premises through personality and humor rather than expensive spectacle—proving concept scalability when character work is strong

Insights: Unknown details suggest seeking distribution rather than having it—indie production likely still finding festival placement and platform buyers

Industry Insight: Writer-director wearing multiple hats signals creative efficiency—Fairman controlling both roles typical when budgets don't allow department specialization. Consumer Insight: Indie action audiences seeking scrappy alternatives to blockbuster spectacle—valuing character dynamics and creative solutions over production polish. Brand Insight: Comedy offsetting violence makes limited action sequences acceptable—lighter tone providing permission to forgive budget constraints when wit compensates.

Kill Will faces challenge all micro-budget indie action encounters: how to make familiar premise (retired assassin, witness protection failure, civilian girlfriend thrust into danger) feel fresh when bigger productions have explored same territory with more resources. Comedy helps differentiate—humor makes smaller action sequences acceptable while being cheaper to execute than sustained spectacle. Annie forced into Will's violent world creates emotional investment and fish-out-of-water dynamics. Expanding threats to former crew adds urgency beyond personal survival. But success ultimately depends on execution—strong character work, witty dialogue, and creative action acknowledging budget limitations rather than pretending to compete with blockbusters. Limited information available suggests production seeking distribution through festivals or streaming rather than having confirmed release. Indie audiences will determine whether personality and humor compensate enough for production constraints to make Kill Will stand out in crowded retired-assassin subgenre.

bottom of page