‘The Killers’ is a love story… which doesn’t mean it’s not about the murder of ‘Swede’: just about how he could have avoided it. Anyone who has watched a film noir knows that you never fall for the femme fatale if you want to stay alive… obviously our victim has never watched one before! We know from the very start about his love for Kitty; which is unusual as we haven’t even met her yet. He is ready to die even after he is warned that his killers are coming, isn’t this in itself one of the most romantic gestures? Sacrificing yourself for someone who you haven’t seen for six years, because there is a possible chance of her being killed instead, even if you think she’s not worth it. That’s the whole point Siodmak – the director –  is making… love trumps anything, even death.