There are many reasons not to like Kiss Me Deadly. For starters, whether by happenstance or design, the film editing is jerky in spots; you find yourself thinking "What just happened?" More important, the plot is hard to follow with a jumble of overplayed characters popping in and out of the story line from beginning to end. Instead of logical progression from seminal event to theatrical coda, the movie comes off more as a series of vignettes. You can rewind and try to figure out exactly who and what they're talking about but it probably won't help. In the case of Kiss Me Deadly it doesn't matter. The movie is first and foremost about style, film noir style. Dialogue and continuity are secondary issues. Art direction, lighting and photography are paramount. What the actors say is not as important as how they say it and what they're wearing. The ending doesn't matter, it's the getting there that counts. So relax and enjoy the moment. It will all make sense in the end.