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The Killer

Play trailer Poster for The Killer R In Theaters Apr 5 1h 51m Action Crime Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 48 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.
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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.

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Critics Reviews

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Peter Bradshaw Guardian 11h
4/5
John Woo’s 1989 thriller is a reminder of the director’s habit of hitching the craziest of mayhem to a mile-wide streak of earnest emotionalism and sentimentality; a strong and under-acknowledged part of why his films are so addictive. Go to Full Review 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 Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand Mar 7
The execution... is pure Woo bullet ballet with high melodrama, operatic buddy-movie bonding, and blood-soaked excess. Go to Full Review Tom Cassidy Common Sense Media Feb 24
5/5
This 1980s Hong Kong gun fu movie has spectacular action and bloody violence, but the action is really backdrop to what is essentially a character study along the lines of a Greek tragedy. 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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Stephen C @bob25009 Jan 25 The worldwide gross is HK$18,255,083.00. See more Frank S @friedegg05 Jan 5 Absolutely amazing. The movie itself is kind of ridiculous but all the slow-mo action scenes and car chases are filmed beautifully. Definitely worth the watch. 10/10. See more Richard T @RT47423892 Jan 1 Probably the greatest Hong Kong action film ever made. It's probably better than Hard Boiled on the emotional level. The 4K is amazing See more S N @RT06562592 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 @RT91944882 03/06/2025 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 02/27/2025 Arguably John Woo's best work ever. See more Read all reviews
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The Killer

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

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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)
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