The Bloody Olive is a 1997 Black Comedy Short Film from Belgium in style of a classic Film Noir. The film
is based on the French comic strip L'Imbroglio by Lewis Trondheim and is noted for its Gambit Pileup plot.
Christmas Eve, 1951. Werner and Mylène are looking forward to a cozy evening of turkey and presents when the doorbell rings. This is the beginning of a night full of surprises where nothing is what it seems to be.
This film provides examples of:
- Acquired Poison Immunity: Lampshaded by Mylène in a scene towards the end, when she explains to a bystander that she was vaccinated against all types of poisons, which rendered Sam's poison arrow ineffective.
- Aspect Montage: The opening scene showing Mylène and Werner preparing for Christmas.
- Ass Pull: Invoked. We get served plot twist after plot twist with little rhyme or reason.
- Blackmail: Sam threatens Werner to expose him of fraud if he doesn't resign and hand him the peculated money.
- Breaking the Fourth Wall: In the last scene, the police officer is looking straight into the camera and directing some words of warning towards the viewer.
- Chekhov's Gun; The dagger Werner shows Sam early on is then used as a weapon against him.
- Counting Bullets: Werner is not afraid of Mylène shooting at him because he knew she used six rounds when killing Sam.
- Darkened Building Shootout: Mylène going with her gun after Sam in the darkness of her living room.
- Deceased Fall-Guy Gambit: Werner kills his partner Sam and plans to pin the Insurance Fraud on him.
- Deliberately Monochrome: For the Film Noir effect.
- Emasculated Cuckold: Werner's reaction to learning that his wife is having an affair with Sam.
- The End: The last shot of Werner and Mylène embracing is overlaid with a title card reading "The End".
- Engineered Public Confession: What Mylène, Werner and the police planned for Sam. It worked out because the latter couldn't resist engaging in a Just Between You and Me monologue.
- Eye Awaken: Sam does this after he is shot down for the first time.
- Face Framed in Shadow: The shadow cast on Mylène's face after she gives Sam a Multiple Gunshot Death.
- Failed a Spot Check: No-one takes the time to verify the victims' death.
- Faking the Dead: Becomes a Running Gag.
- Foreign Language Title: It's a Belgian movie in Dutch language with an English title.
- Fright Deathtrap: Werner and Sam exploit Mylène's heart condition and make her die of a shock to collect the insurance and inheritance money.
- Gambit Pileup: There are nine twists altogether.
- She Knows Too Much: Sam murders Mylène for witnessing him killing Werner.
- Hollywood Heart Attack: Mylène is mentioned to have a heart condition. Later in a rush of anxiety, she clutches her chest and collapsed dead in a couple of seconds.
- Impairment Shot: The shaky camera movement and blurry vision when Werner sinks down in the kitchen thanks to the poisoned drink. Happens to a lesser extent when Mylène collapses from Sam's Tranquillizer Dart.
- Insurance Fraud: One of the murder plots involves this.
- Iris Out: The last shot of the movie irises out on Werner and Mylène's faces.
- Just Between You and Me: After killing Mylène with a Tranquillizer Dart, Sam gloats about how he did the same to the managing director two months ago. It becomes his downfall due to the Engineered Public Confession.
- Murder Is the Best Solution: Instant murder is the only choice of negotiation.
- Mutual Kill: Werner notes this to be a welcome explanation for the death of both Sam and Mylène.
- Nothing Personal: Stockphrase used by Sam towards Werner.
- Not Quite Dead: All thee murder victims exemplify this, round-robin.
- Poisoned Chalice Switcheroo: Behind his back, Werner exchanges the poisoned glass of champagne with a glass of sparkling water.
- Poisoned Weapons: Sam's exotic blowpipe.
- Scare Chord: The famous Psycho staccato tune is heard when Sam stabs Werner the first time.
- Smooch of Victory: The kiss between Mylène and Werner at the end.
- Tampering with Food and Drink: The poisoned champagne Sam brings for a present.
- Trivial Title: Olives are mentioned but play no role in the plot other than getting (fake)blood-splattered.
- Unwitting Pawn: Every character was played by another character at some point.
- You Have Outlived Your Usefulness: The reason why Mylène murders Sam after the latter poisoned Werner.
