Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

The Killer

Play trailer Poster for The Killer R In Theaters Apr 5 1h 51m Action Crime Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
96% Tomatometer 45 Reviews 92% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
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.
Coming Soon In Theaters Apr 5 Reserve Tickets
The Killer

What to Know

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

Cast & Crew

View All

John Woo

Director

Chow Yun-Fat

Ah Jong

Danny Lee

Insp. Li

Sally Yeh

Jennie

Kenneth Tsang

Sgt. Randy Chang

Kong Chu

Fung Sei

Critics Reviews

View More
Hugo Davenport Daily Telegraph (UK) 07/27/2023
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. Go to Full Review Keith Phipps The Dissolve 09/08/2017
The work of a filmmaker operating at the highest level of his abilities. Go to Full Review Variety Staff Variety 07/06/2010
Melodramatic from the start, it finally goes over the top to deliver a solid emotional punch. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Dec 6
3.5/4
It’s a highlight of Hong Kong cinema, a mainstay of action cinema, and John Woo’s best film. Go to Full Review Jeff Beck The Blu Spot Dec 1
4/5
John Woo's The Killer remains a seminal action classic that boasts a skillful balance of captivating character drama & thrilling action sequences. Go to Full Review Siddhant Adlakha JoySauce.com 08/27/2024
Christian imagery, from crucifixes to doves fluttering their wings in slow-motion, have long since become a hallmark of Woo's films regardless of their meaning, but these symbols immediately steep The Killer in a distinctly spiritual sense of remorse Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
S N Sep 9 Without a doubt one of the greatest action films of all time. John Woo's 'The Killer' is an exiting and thrilling tale of brotherhood, redemption and honour. Carried by a brilliant performance from Chow Yun-Fat, who plays a ruthless yet morale assassin who must escape his past and right a wrong. But is pursued by Danny Lee as the duty-driven police officer. The Killer is a must-watch for not just fans of Hong Kong films or the action movie genre, but a must watch for all film fans. This is truly a masterpiece that will exite you, upset you, and move you. See more Daniel C. M Mar 6 Everything in this movie is nothing short of amazing and there isnt really a single thing that goes wrong here. Amazing script with very loveable and engaging characters, that makes the drama parts work well and not feel boring; and the action itself is absolutly the best Gun-Fu ever made, puts (the massively overrated) John Wick to shame. The direction by Woo is also great at the non-action parts, making it's neo-noir style feel immaculate. See more Leprechaun K @LeprechaunKing Feb 27 Arguably John Woo's best work ever. See more Julian G Jan 28 john woo really knows how to do his part as well as chow yun fat and the res See more Sams K 08/23/2024 Very good one. Definitely worth a watch, one of the finest Hong Kong movies. See more Noah g 05/19/2024 peak movie, john woo makes the best movies about friendship See more Read all reviews
The Killer

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW
View All

The Killer

The Killer (1989) The Killer (1989) View more photos

More Like This

View All
Colors 75% 71% Colors Watchlist Black Rain 52% 55% Black Rain Watchlist TRAILER for Black Rain Death Wish 4: The Crackdown 25% 40% Death Wish 4: The Crackdown Watchlist Thief 80% 81% Thief Watchlist Death Wish V: The Face of Death 0% 32% Death Wish V: The Face of Death Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

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
Producer
Hark Tsui
Screenwriter
John Woo
Distributor
Circle Films
Production Co
Magnum, Golden Princess Film Production Limited, Film Workshop Ltd.
Rating
R
Genre
Action, Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
Chinese
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 1, 1991, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Apr 5, 2026
Release Date (DVD)
Mar 30, 2010
Runtime
1h 51m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
Most Popular at Home Now