The Assassin

Released Oct 16, 2015

1h 45m

Action

Drama

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Tomatometer

130 Reviews

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Audience Score

5,000+ Ratings

In ninth-century China, an exiled assassin (Shu Qi) must choose between love or duty when she receives orders to kill a man (Chang Chen) from her past.

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Critics Consensus

The Assassin's thrilling visuals mark a fresh highlight for director Hsiao-hsien Hou, even if its glacial pace may keep some viewers at arm's length.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

I say this all to say that folks have been fallen all over themselves for the Chinese drama, THE ASSASSIN, which is indeed a solid film but nothing I haven't see before

Sep 1, 2017

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Mark Kermode

Observer (UK)

Magical and utterly mesmerising.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 24, 2016

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Roger Clarke

Sight & Sound

A film that gains greatly from second or third viewings.

Jan 22, 2016

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Jaime Grijalba

Vague Visages

One could think of The Assassin as a cinephile’s film, as it contains a visual language that requires a trained eye, but nonetheless, with the still attributes of the acting and the overall length of the shots, the film is still highly entertaining...

Dec 4, 2023

Full Review

Nathaniel Muir

AIPT

There is nothing wrong with a martial arts flick slowing things down, and it is refreshing to see a movie from the genre put so much effort in the production. However, this does not take away from the feeling that The Assassin lacks focus.

Apr 29, 2023

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

The high volume of posturing and portending weighs down "The Assassin" and will test your patience.

Rated: 2/5

Aug 14, 2022

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Alec B

Yes the plot is mostly indecipherable but at a certain point you stop caring as I don't believe your supposed to be all that invested in the story. What matters are the visual and auditory elements such as the gorgeous cinematography, the panoramic backgrounds, and the way the sounds of nature seem to hijack every scene.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/13/23

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Will K

Mesmerizing. For those who like to slow down and smell the roses. Yes, I was confused often - needed a "program guide" to help me understand characters, motivations, historical context, etc. But, with patience - I got enough of the gist and grist to make it worth watching. So yes, a little prep - will make this even more entertaining (and understandable). Oh, and then there is Shu Qi - the perfect assassin of my heart.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/27/23

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Tristan M

Perfect fodder for the mind

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/04/23

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daniel l

This is actually an arthouse movie and it is not a martial art movie. I think the movie's title and the trailer might have given people the wrong expectations about what it is. If you come to this movie and expecting to see an action packed, martial art film, then you are bound to be disappointed. The Assassin's excellence resides in the stunning cinematography, its simplicity, and the underlying philosophy, delivered by a nuanced, dream like storytelling. But this movie doesn't hold your hand. While the story has a complex political backdrop and the character dynamics are intricate, but the movie has little exposition. The narratives are fragmented, and dialogues are minimum. As a result this movie is not very accessible. It suffices to say this is not a commercial movie. The first time viewing is bound to be confusing. However, The Assassin will reward you if you are patient and willing to put in the efforts to understand its story. In my first viewing the movie thoroughly confused me, but afterwards for days I couldn't stop thinking about it, and I decided to watch it again. In my second viewing, the movie clicked for me and I came to appreciate its quiet beauty and its cinematic artistry. This movie is definitely not for everyone and I recommend it only to those cinema aficionados who like to watch arthouse movies.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

matthew d

A ponderous slow burn with elegant cinematography. Taiwanese director Hou Hsiao-hsien's wuxia arthouse drama The Assassin (2015) is an intriguing film. Every scene follows characters in natural beauty with an icy slow pace that just lets you vibe with Hsiao-hsien's atmosphere for The Assassin. The direction leans into ambiance like you're in the room with these characters instead of epic staging. It's all a matter of fact aesthetic. I'm sure The Assassin may bore the average viewer, but if you care to give it a chance, you may find it thoughtful, peaceful, pretty, and moving. Director Hou Hsiao-hsien is certainly a gripping and artful creative with his pensive dramatic reflection on the entire wuxia genre. The action is short and sublime with inspired sequences, then everything leans into the tragic drama. It's all about a young assassin, who simply does not want to kill, so you see her prevent deaths and try to make her own path in life despite her teachings. Writers Hou Hsiao-hsien, Chu Tien-wen, Cheng Ah, and Hsieh Hai-Meng's words feel profound with life wisdom and intriguing tactics of belief. The writing is dense as nothing is explained outright, but it's all there for you to take a moment to figure out. The Assassin is purposefully challenging and scarce with a gentle tone. The Assassin is one of the best looking films ever made with cinematographers Mark Lee Ping-Bing and Yao Hung-I using stunning wide shots of nature. All the perspectives obscured by veils or night are fascinating. The Assassin is simply breathtaking to look at regardless of the simple plot. Huang Wen-Ying's production design features graceful and ornate sets with an esteem to each room. All the gold props and furnishings are dazzling. The vibrant colors of purple, pink, and black pop for costume designer Huang Wen-Ying's lavish robes and slick armor. Shu Qi's black assassin garments look wicked cool. Shu Qi is stunning in a near silent role as our heroine assassin Nie Yinniang. She's very subtle with her elegant face and emotional expressions of sorrow and conflicted feelings. She has to act with swift attack motions and nuanced facial expressions. Chang Chen is interesting and exciting as Lord Tian Ji'an. Nikki Hsieh is lovely and empathetic as Concubine Huji as she feels sadness and empathy for Shu Qi's Yinniang. Xu Fan's nun is eerie in her own way. Zhou Yun is excellent and serene as Lord Tian Ji'an's wife, especially when she says she felt sorry for Shu Qi's Yinniang. Editors Liao Ching-Sung and Huang Chih-Chia rarely cut away within scenes, so The Assassin always feels lived in and carefully cut. It's a short picture at only 105 minutes long, but the slow burn pacing keeps it feeling fleshed out in Hou Hsiao-hsien's own elegant manner. Composer Lim Giong's score is minimalist with pounding drums and soft strings interchanging. I love when the melody rises into an emotional crescendo. The constant droning sounds of a drum hit at night or a sudden creaking wooden door are poignant from sound designers Tu Duu-chih and Wu Shu-yao. In all, The Assassin is worth watching for its captivating beauty and thoughtful storytelling grace.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Liam D

It Transience its genre This Drama I highly recommend

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/14/21

Full Review

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Hsiao-hsien Hou

Director

Shu Qi

Nie Yinniang

Chang Chen

Tian Ji'an

Yun Zhou

Lady Tian

Satoshi Tsumabuki

The Mirror Polisher

Fang-yi Sheu

Princess Jiacheng

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The Assassin: Trailer 1

2:33

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Synopsis

In ninth-century China, an exiled assassin (Shu Qi) must choose between love or duty when she receives orders to kill a man (Chang Chen) from her past.

Director: Hsiao-hsien Hou
Screenwriter: Cheng Ah, T'ien-wen Chu, Hsiao-hsien Hou, Hai-Meng Hsieh
Distributor: Well Go USA
Production Co: Central Motion Pictures Corporation, Sil-Metropole Organisation, Media Asia Films Ltd. [hk]
Genre: Action, Drama
Original Language: Chinese
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 16, 2015, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 26, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $632.5K
Runtime: 1h 45m

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