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The Killer

One Vicious Hitman. One Fierce Cop. Ten Thousand Bullets.

1989 · 1h 50m · R Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Directed by John Woo

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Overview

Mob assassin Jeffrey 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 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 to make things right.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
95%
Tomatometer
Fresh

A lot of claims have been made for this campy bloodbath concerto by Hong Kong director John Woo, and I must admit that he's even better than Brian De Palma at delivering emotional and visceral excess with staccato relentlessness.

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Fresh

The director repeatedly places the viewer at the center of the crossfire and turns the gyrating camera into the next best thing to a lethal weapon.

Stephen Holden, New York Times
Fresh

This is a rush of a movie.

Hal Hinson, Washington Post
Fresh

The most dementedly elegiac thriller you've ever seen.

Time Out

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