Sin City: The Big Fat Kill Cast (With Comic Comparisons)

The 2005 crime thriller directed by Robert Rodriguez became “Frank Miller’s Sin City,” a black and white comic book movie divided into multiple stories written by Frank Miller and based on his graphic novel series. As a fan of this stylized violence-filled neo-noir, I was thrilled to dig up one of the issues of Sin City: The Big Fat Kill from the basement of a thrift shop. This seemed like a perfect opportunity to dive into the sin city cast and drum up some discussion about this graphic novel adaptation set in the corrupt Basin City.

Miho Played By Devon Aoki

When I saw Sin City in theaters back in 2005, I instantly recognized Devon Aoki from her role in that awful sequel 2 Fast 2 Furious. In that film, she was barely 21 and hadn’t quite grown into her body, in my opinion. The “Furious” movies have a habit of trying to frame stick-skinny women as attractive, like Gal Gadot. But after seeing Aoki as part of the cast of Sin City in The Big Fat Kill storyline, her adorable silent portrayal of Miho made her hard to forget.

Miho was one of the most memorable characters in Frank Miller’s Sin City. She had an alluring beauty, a mysterious aura, and a great fighting style. She was able to take on many of the corrupt cops and criminals in Basin City with ease. Her fighting style was brutal and effective, embodying the stylized violence that permeates the film. Devon Aoki brought a great physical presence to the role, infusing it with intensity and power that made her character stand out among the sin city actors.

Becky Played By Alexis Bledel

The prostitute that screwed over Old Town (no pun intended) was cast to Alexis Bledel, probably solely based on her recognition from being on the show Gilmore Girls at the time. Even so, her teenage appearance fit the part well, matching her naive attitude. It also didn’t hurt that she’s a cutie pie who comes off as sweet and charming.

It’s this charm, along with her high-pitched voice and youthful appearance, that made Alexis Bledel the perfect candidate for her role. The movie (and comic) implies that she may be under-age, since she has to call her mom and explain her whereabouts. Her innocence is coupled with her lovely long hair and the curves of her backside that compliment her thin body, amplifying the fantasy of her being an obtainable prostitute.

Bledel’s portrayal of Becky added a layer of complexity to the character, making her betrayal even more impactful. Her innocent demeanor and youthful looks contrasted sharply with the gritty, noir atmosphere of Sin City, highlighting the duality of her character. This casting choice emphasized the theme of deception that runs throughout the film, as Becky’s outward appearance belied her true intentions. Bledel’s performance captured the essence of a character caught between innocence and corruption, making her a memorable part of the ensemble cast.

Gail Played By Rosario Dawson

Rosario Dawson was the perfect fit as the leader of Old Town prostitutes in this black and white comic book movie. She comes off as stunning yet gritty at the same time. Unfortunately, whenever I see her now, I can’t help but think of her in Clerks 2 talking about getting ketchup in her woman parts. She was also in the infamous movie called Kids, which you would think would have ruined her career, not improved it.

Gail’s leadership and loyalty to the other prostitutes in Old Town really drove home the themes of solidarity and resilience that are woven throughout the film. Dawson’s portrayal of Gail really hammered in the fact that she’s not one to mess with, and she’ll do whatever it takes to protect her turf and her people. This added a whole new layer to the character, showing that underneath her tough exterior, she’s got a heart of gold and a strong sense of responsibility for those she leads. Dawson’s performance in Sin City not only showed off her acting chops, but also added to the film’s gritty, noir vibe, making Gail a truly unforgettable character in the Sin City movie.

Dwight McCarthy Played By Clive Owen

I never heard of Clive Owen before seeing him as part of the Big Fat Kill cast. Later I would see him in Children of Men, but that’s about it. I had also seen him years later in that movie Closer, but to me, he just looks too generic. He also doesn’t come off as very tough. He looks nothing like his comic counterpart, which is a bit disappointing for a graphic novel adaptation.

Owen’s portrayal of Dwight McCarthy in Sin City was, let’s just say, not exactly awe-inspiring. His run-of-the-mill appearance and lack of toughness made it pretty hard to take him seriously as a gritty antihero. In a movie bursting with larger-than-life characters, Owen’s Dwight felt more like a stand-in than a crucial player. His performance was missing the oomph and edge that the role called for, leaving fans of the graphic novel yearning for a more faithful adaptation. Plus, Owen’s Dwight McCarthy failed to capture the essence of the character from the comics.

The comic book Dwight is a complex, brooding figure with a dark past and an unwavering commitment to justice. Owen’s portrayal, on the other hand, fell flat and uninspired. It’s almost as if the casting directors plucked him from a lineup of generic actors and crossed their fingers for the best. The end result was a character that felt out of place in the otherwise visually stunning and thematically rich world of Sin City. If only they had cast someone with a bit more grit and presence, maybe Dwight wouldn’t have been overshadowed by the more dynamic characters around him. But hey, at least he didn’t get ketchup in his woman parts.

Jackie-Boy Played By Benicio Del Toro

Another person I recognized subconsciously from the artsy movie Traffic but otherwise know or care nothing about. But at least he wasn’t terribly miscast like some of the other characters in Sin City. Like Elijah Wood. What a dork. Wood has always been cast as the cowardly character in past films like The Faculty and Lord of the Rings. Why the hell was he chosen as Kevin?

Del Toro’s portrayal of Jackie Boy in Sin City was, to put it mildly, a mixed bag. While he wasn’t as egregiously miscast as some of his co-stars, his performance still left much to be desired. Del Toro’s attempt to bring a menacing edge to Jackie Boy often came off as forced and unconvincing. It’s almost as if he was trying too hard to fit into the gritty, noir world of Sin City, but ended up looking like a caricature instead. His character’s sleazy demeanor and over-the-top antics felt more like a parody than a genuine threat.

Nancy Played By Jessica Alba

At the time this movie was made, Jessica Alba was the bee’s knees and everyone was clamoring about how pretty she was. (Her youthful, innocent look disappeared by the time she appeared in the Sin City sequel nine years later.) Everyone knew who she was from the Fox television show Dark Angel, a title that reveals Alba’s exploitation. In fact, every movie from The Fantastic Four to Good Luck Chuck exploited her looks and had her prancing around in her underwear.

Sin City was no different, where plays a stripper. In the comic, the grown-up version of Nancy is topless and is an erotic dancer in a sleazy bar. Although Jessica Alba is not topless in the movie adaptation, she apparently was chosen due to her dancing ability, like the movie Honey. Sin City, made in the early 2000s, was created in a time period where women were openly celebrated for their bodies and men were appreciated for their masculinity. This strength skyrockets in this film, especially with Alba shaking her booty on stage while drunk men holler at her.

Shelly Played By Brittany Murphy

Brittany Murphy, known from films like Clueless, Girl Interrupted, and Freeway, all had her pegged as a drug addict. (They pegged her right, since she suddenly died with a cocktail of Hydrocodone and similar products in her body.) In Sin City, however, her crackly voice and razor-thin appearance became the center of attention instead, as she wore just black underwear and a button-down white shirt for the majority of the movie. Hell, her near-nakedness was even featured on a promotional poster, so it’s not like this wasn’t a core part of her character.

In Sin City, she plays a waitress in the same sleazy bar that becomes a central part of the film. Despite the movie having several stories told simultaneously, the bar helps bring the stories all together, as different characters are seen sitting while taking a swig of beer from a glass mug.

Hartigan Played by Bruce Willis

Ever since the movie Die Hard, Bruce Willis has been seen as the go-to guy for tough characters in movies like Pulp Fiction. Before this, though, he was seen as a weak television show actor in comedic events where women treat him like crap. Despite this, he plays a central role in the Sin City movie, being introduced almost immediately. Hartigan is a nearly-retired cop that gets mixed up in corrupt politics including Senator Roark and Cardinal Roark. He also has to deal with Nancy Callahan’s character, played by Jessica Alba, idolizing him and wanting to sleep with him. What a tragedy!

His old appearance in the film reflects an ironic reality. It is a poignant reminder of the challenges that Bruce Willis faced due to his tragic development of Aphasia, a condition that affected his ability to work and ultimately led to his retirement. Despite his immense talent and success, Willis was forced to confront the limitations imposed by this debilitating condition. It serves as a sobering reminder of the fragility of human existence and the unpredictable nature of life’s twists and turns.

The Broader Sin City Cast

There were other actors like Mickey Rourke’s portrayal of Marv, the brutal yet principled antihero, and Elijah Wood who plays the character Kevin who feeds on human flesh. There is also the stunning Jaime King, who plays “the perfect woman” by the name Goldie. I’m sure there were others, but who cares? It’s not like anyone is reading this.

Frank Miller’s Sin City, brought to life by Robert Rodriguez in 2005, remains a standout example of a neo-noir crime thriller. Its unique black and white cinematography, combined with splashes of color, created a visual feast that perfectly captured the gritty essence of Basin City. The Sin City cast, filled with both established stars and rising talents, brought Miller’s complex characters to life in this unforgettable anthology film.