The Killer

R

Released Sep 10, 1989

1h 50m

Crime

Drama

List

95%

43 Reviews

Tomatometer

92%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Mob assassin Jeffrey (Chow Yun-Fat) is no ordinary hired gun; the best in his business, he views his chosen profession as a calling rather than simply a job. So, when beautiful nightclub chanteuse Jennie (Sally Yeh) is blinded in the crossfire of his most recent hit, Jeffrey chooses to retire after one last job to pay for his unintended victim's sight-restoring operation. But when Jeffrey is double-crossed, he reluctantly joins forces with a rogue policeman (Danny Lee) to make things right.

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Critics Consensus

The Killer is another hard-boiled action flick from John Woo featuring eye-popping balletic violence and philosophical underpinnings.

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Hugo Davenport

Daily Telegraph (UK)

While there is no doubting the technical sophistication of Woo's hyper-kinetic massacres... the most notable aspect of [the film] is the award mix of tongue-in-cheek kitsch and lumbering, macho, male-bonding earnestness in between.

Jul 27, 2023

Full Review

Keith Phipps

The Dissolve

The work of a filmmaker operating at the highest level of his abilities.

Sep 8, 2017

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Melodramatic from the start, it finally goes over the top to deliver a solid emotional punch.

Jul 6, 2010

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Fun from start to finish.

Aug 4, 2023

Full Review

Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

Over-the-top movies like these bleed as much implausibility as bodily fluid, but that's not why you watch "The Killer."

Rated: 5/5

Feb 12, 2022

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Here, it always takes a dozen shots at point-blank range to fell an antagonist, which is remarkably amusing.

Rated: 8/10

Jan 2, 2022

Full Review

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Nico B

It's still one of the best action/thriller movies of all time. I was surprised about how engaging the story and the characters were. The only thing I did not like that much was the acting and some dialogues.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/14/24

Full Review

Jens B

That's how you do an action film! Never ending shootouts, two main characters loaded with symbolism and trapped in moral dilemmas, a lot of melodrama, cool synth sounds, car chases, a lot of blood squibs, slow motion, homoerotic tension, more slow motion, and doves. And I probably forgot something. I liked this even better than HARD BOILED. Can't wait to watch the Taiwanese version with some extra 20 mins or so.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/10/23

Full Review

Alec B

High art and action cinema joined as one, exactly as they should be.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/10/23

Full Review

Robert R

For many, "The Killer" is the film where John Woo finally found his footing as a pioneer or action, cinematic violence and all things "heroic bloodshed" and, while I still think "Hard Boiled" is the real truth in that regard, I see a lot to like in this. The shootouts are just the bee's knees. Lots of bullets, lots of blood, lots of fun. I also quite enjoyed the dynamic between Chow Yun-fat and Danny Lee's characters towards the end of the film, with the final set piece representing an easy highlight of the entire experience. For me, though, some of the melodrama in this was a little too heavy-handed, with all of the emotionality ultimately building to a conclusion that I thought trended towards something like "The Mist" in terms of endings that represent a bit of a middle finger to the audience. It doesn't sting as much as that film per se, but it is an unequivocal bummer and for seemingly no discernible reason. Aside from all that, though, this was a real decent time. Just not my favorite of the filmmaker's, however.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/16/23

Full Review

decadepast d

We don't even need to review this movie it's that good.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/04/23

Full Review

Wayne K

Among the most distinctive action movie directors, and certainly one of the most popular, John Woo has made a living crafting stylised shoot ‘em ups that often have more going on theme-wise than many will give them credit for, especially in his Hong Kong days. The Killer is a perfect example of this: a high octane, mile-a-minute, bullet-strew adventure underpinned by ruminations on what it means to kill for a living and seeking redemption before it's too late. Chow Yun-Fat plays both the ruthless and compassionate side of a hired gun with equal conviction, and his quieter moments with Jennie and discussions with Inspector Li, a man who both hates and admires him at the same time, tell us the most about his character. The gun fights are, needless to say, spectacular, with Woo's trademarks shootout choreography always making you feel like you're a part of the scene, an unarmed combatant amidst an ocean of chaos. The story isn't anything spectacular, but its serviced well by the actors and the writing, with the ante steadily increasing as the film progresses. But it's the action that you come to a John Woo film for, and in that regard, you certainly wont be disappointed. But it's good that the thrills are servicing the plot and aren't just a way to keep the audience's attention. Say what you want about Woo's Hollywood career, but movies like The Killer & Hard Boiled are why he has the reputation he does, and why he'll always have a special place in the heart of action movie fans the world over.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/17/23

Full Review

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John Woo

Director

Chow Yun-Fat

Ah Jong

Danny Lee

Insp. Li

Sally Yeh

Jennie

Kenneth Tsang

Sgt. Randy Chang

Kong Chu

Fung Sei

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Synopsis

Mob assassin Jeffrey (Chow Yun-Fat) is no ordinary hired gun; the best in his business, he views his chosen profession as a calling rather than simply a job. So, when beautiful nightclub chanteuse Jennie (Sally Yeh) is blinded in the crossfire of his most recent hit, Jeffrey chooses to retire after one last job to pay for his unintended victim's sight-restoring operation. But when Jeffrey is double-crossed, he reluctantly joins forces with a rogue policeman (Danny Lee) to make things right.

Director: John Woo
Screenwriter: John Woo
Distributor: Fox Lorber, Buena Vista Home Video (BVHV), Criterion Collection
Production Co: Golden Princess Film Production Limited, Magnum, Film Workshop Ltd.
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: Chinese
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 10, 1989, Original
Release Date (DVD): Mar 30, 2010
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: Mono