Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Brutal
- exuberant
- witty
- romantic
- martial arts movie night
- action double feature
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film an entertaining and exuberant wuxia revival, praising its swordplay, humor, Michelle Yeoh's charisma and romantic payoff while noting occasional narrative confusion and awkwardness.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The Buddhist monk's remains motivate the assassins' pursuit and Zeng Jing's journey.
Critics specifically praised the film's humor, exuberance and return to wuxia roots alongside sword-fighting spectacle.
Zeng Jing is a skilled assassin who seeks a new life while her former world pursues her.
The film's celebrated action centers on sword fights and martial-arts choreography, with critics noting its limited reliance on visual effects.
Films like Reign of Assassins, and why
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
wuxia swordplay, romantic stakes, philosophical martial-arts tradition
Hero
stylized historical martial arts, assassins, destiny and visual spectacle
House of Flying Daggers
ensemble wuxia intrigue, rival warriors and mythic action
The Killer
martial-arts adventure balancing humor, romance and dangerous pursuit
Movie Details
- Directors
- Su Chaobin, John Woo
- Release Date
- 2010-09-01
- Runtime
- 117 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (290)
Cast
- Michelle Yeoh
- Jung Woo-sung
- Wang Xueqi
- Barbie Hsu
- Yue Man-lok
- Kelly Lin Hsi-Lei
- Guo Xiaodong
- Jiang Yiyan
- Leon Dai
- Nina Paw Hei-Ching
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Reign of Assassins about?
- A hunted assassin carrying a mystical secret battles rival killers while reaching for love and a life beyond violence.
- What is Reign of Assassins like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Reign of Assassins as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Reign of Assassins violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Reign of Assassins as brutal.
- What did critics think of Reign of Assassins?
- Critics broadly found the film an entertaining and exuberant wuxia revival, praising its swordplay, humor, Michelle Yeoh's charisma and romantic payoff while noting occasional narrative confusion and awkwardness.
- Which films are like Reign of Assassins?
- Films with a similar feel include Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Hero, House of Flying Daggers, and The Killer.
- How long is Reign of Assassins?
- Reign of Assassins runs 117 minutes.
- Where can I watch Reign of Assassins?
- In United States, Reign of Assassins streams on MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel.
