King Cobra (2016) is a gripping and dark drama that dramatizes the real-life events surrounding the murder of Bryan Kocis, a key figure in the adult film industry. His stage name, Brent Corrigan, became famous in the early 2000s, and his rise to fame and the subsequent tragedy that followed are at the heart of this unsettling film. The film explores the exploitation and manipulation inherent in the adult film world, as well as the corrupting effects of fame, power, and greed. Let’s break it down in as much detail as possible.
Plot Overview:
The film takes place in the mid-2000s and follows a young Brent Corrigan (Garrett Clayton), an up-and-coming adult film star, and the people who both help and exploit him along the way. The story specifically centers on Brent’s turbulent relationship with his first mentor and producer, Stephen (James Franco), and how this leads to a dramatic and tragic end.
The Beginning:
At the start of the film, Brent, a naive young man from a small town, is looking to escape his dreary life. He becomes involved in the adult entertainment industry and, after meeting Stephen, he is convinced to take on a pornographic persona that will make him a star. Stephen runs a small production company and sees potential in Brent, who is youthful, attractive, and has the all-American look that appeals to gay audiences.
Stephen offers Brent a contract, but the terms are exploitative. Although Brent believes Stephen is a mentor, Stephen’s control over him begins to grow as he arranges every aspect of Brent’s public and private life. Stephen is not only his employer but also his personal guide, controlling everything about his career—from what roles he plays, to how he presents himself in the media. This relationship begins to blur the lines between business and personal life. Stephen becomes fixated on Brent, almost treating him as his personal possession, pushing him to film more explicit and controversial material in an attempt to solidify his stardom.
Stephen’s obsession with Brent is multilayered; it is a mixture of personal infatuation, professional dominance, and a desire to keep his most profitable star under his control. Stephen’s increasing possessiveness becomes uncomfortable as he manipulates Brent emotionally and sexually. However, Brent, at this point, is still somewhat naive and sees Stephen as a father figure, even though Stephen’s behavior becomes increasingly controlling and unsettling.
Brent’s Ambition and Escape:
Despite Stephen’s manipulations, Brent’s desire for independence grows. He wants more money, better opportunities, and to be taken seriously as an individual outside of the world of porn. A rival producer, Harlow (Christian Slater), sees potential in Brent and wants to capitalize on his fame. Harlow represents the opposite of Stephen: a businessman willing to offer Brent more creative control and financial freedom. However, Harlow is just as manipulative as Stephen, though his intentions are slightly less personal and more profit-driven.
Brent, eager to escape Stephen’s control and move to a larger production company, agrees to work with Harlow, even though it means severing ties with Stephen. At this point, Brent’s naivety is apparent. While he seeks a way out of one exploitative situation, he unwittingly enters another, one that ultimately leads to betrayal.
Stephen, unable to cope with losing his prized star, becomes furious. He can’t accept Brent leaving him for Harlow and begins to fixate on the idea of getting him back. Stephen’s desperation grows as he sees his own career and business slipping away without Brent, and he becomes increasingly paranoid about the success of Harlow’s rival production company.
The Conflict Escalates:
The film’s tension builds as Stephen becomes obsessed with reclaiming his hold on Brent. He confronts Brent, attempting to make him feel guilty and manipulated into staying with him. Stephen is increasingly unhinged, and his growing obsession with Brent turns violent.
Meanwhile, Harlow is also looking to profit from Brent’s fame, but in a much more ruthless, cold-hearted way. He continues to woo Brent with promises of wealth and freedom, pushing him further into the adult film industry while also maintaining a similar control over him.
In this environment, Brent becomes increasingly isolated. He realizes that, no matter who he works with, he is caught in an industry that exploits his image and body for profit. He’s constantly being manipulated by the people who claim to care about him, whether it's Stephen, Harlow, or the adult film industry in general. As Brent struggles with his identity and the consequences of his decisions, his need to escape becomes urgent.
The Murder:
The climax of the film is the real-life murder of Bryan Kocis (Stephen in the film), which occurred in 2007. Kocis was murdered by two actors, who were hired by Harlow to steal Brent away from Stephen and bring him under Harlow’s control. The murder, which is a gruesome and tragic turning point in the story, reveals the lengths to which people will go to possess and control someone in the adult film world. The murder was committed in an effort to seize the rights to Brent's image and career.
The final act of King Cobra reveals the shocking and violent end that came from the rivalry between Stephen and Harlow. The crime is portrayed in an unnervingly detached manner, highlighting the brutal realities of the industry, where human lives can be commodified and destroyed in pursuit of fame and fortune.
The investigation that follows is portrayed in the film, shedding light on how the actions of the producers and actors involved led to the murder. It illustrates the extreme nature of the competition and the dangerous world of porn production where individuals are seen as assets, not people.
Themes and Tone:
The film is a critique of the adult entertainment industry, but it also explores more universal themes such as manipulation, identity, and exploitation. At its core, King Cobra is about the impact of fame on individuals, especially young and vulnerable ones. It shows how the pursuit of fame and money can warp relationships and destroy lives, reducing people to mere commodities.
One of the central themes is the manipulation of Brent, not only by Stephen and Harlow but also by the adult film industry as a whole. The film asks tough questions about the power dynamics at play, with the industry preying on the most vulnerable for profit, and the way in which fame can consume a person’s sense of self.
Another key theme is the psychological toll of living a public life when you are treated as an object of desire, rather than as a person. Brent's emotional and psychological journey—from naivety to disillusionment, from dependence to independence—is explored in detail. It becomes clear that the pursuit of fame, especially in such a degrading industry, leaves behind a trail of broken identities.
Performances:
The performances in King Cobra are remarkable. James Franco, as the obsessed producer Stephen, delivers a chilling portrayal of a man whose obsession with control blinds him to any ethical or moral consideration. His portrayal is nuanced, capturing Stephen’s vulnerability and desire for connection alongside his increasingly unhinged behavior.
Garrett Clayton’s portrayal of Brent Corrigan is one of the film's strongest elements. He captures the youthful innocence of a man who is trying to make a name for himself but is constantly pulled into the vortex of exploitation. His performance is tragic and sympathetic as he struggles with the pressures of the adult film industry and the relationships around him.
Christian Slater, playing Harlow, brings a different flavor to the film. His portrayal of the businessman, who is more driven by profit than by a personal connection to Brent, adds an additional layer of complexity to the story. Harlow is less interested in Brent’s well-being than in the potential financial windfall, making him a compelling foil to Stephen’s more personal obsession.
Conclusion:
King Cobra is a harrowing look into the adult entertainment industry, showing the destructive power of fame and manipulation. It portrays a world where personal relationships are marked by control, exploitation, and betrayal. It is a deeply unsettling film, exploring how individuals are commodified and destroyed by a system that treats them as assets rather than people.
The murder of Bryan Kocis, while central to the plot, serves as a stark reminder of how far some people will go in pursuit of wealth and power. The tragic end of the film, along with its exploration of the psychological and emotional toll of fame, serves as a powerful commentary on the cost of living in an industry where humans are reduced to their image and market value.