Overview
A hitman’s last job spirals into chaos as he seeks redemption for a tragic mistake.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Breakneck
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- operatic
- tragic
- propulsive
- action movie night
- hong kong cinema marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard John Woo's film as a superbly made, highly influential Hong Kong action classic whose balletic violence elevates a familiar crime story.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
John Woo stages the film's shootouts as elaborate, emotionally charged spectacles rather than purely realistic combat.
Hitman Jong and detective Li Ying are linked by pursuit, shared codes, and an evolving bond despite opposing roles.
Jong accepts escalating danger to secure medical treatment for Jennie after accidentally causing her blindness.
The film frames criminal and police relationships through loyalty, responsibility, and male bonding amid organized violence.
Films like The Killer, and why
Nikita
stylized crime action, conflicted professional killers, and emotionally charged loyalty
Léon: The Professional
hitman drama, protective male bond, and operatic violence with moral conflict
Hard Boiled
hard-boiled police pursuit, criminal underworld intrigue, and balletic gunplay
Movie Details
- Director
- John Woo
- Release Date
- 1989-03-24
- Runtime
- 110 min
- Rating
- 7.6 / 10 (945)
Cast
- Chow Yun-Fat
- Danny Lee Sau-Yin
- Sally Yeh Chian-Wen
- Paul Chu Kong
- Kenneth Tsang
- Shing Fui-On
- Tommy Wong
- James Ha Chim-Si
- Ricky Wong Chun-Tong
- Barry Wong Ping-Yiu
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV
- Rent
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Killer about?
- A guilt-ridden Hong Kong hitman races to save the woman he blinded while an unorthodox detective closes in and rival forces hunt them both.
- What is The Killer like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Killer as breakneck, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Killer violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in The Killer as graphic.
- What did critics think of The Killer?
- Critics broadly regard John Woo's film as a superbly made, highly influential Hong Kong action classic whose balletic violence elevates a familiar crime story.
- Which films are like The Killer?
- Films with a similar feel include Nikita, Léon: The Professional, and Hard Boiled.
- How long is The Killer?
- The Killer runs 110 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Killer?
- In United States, The Killer streams on fuboTV.
