Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Graphic violence, language, drugs in action remake.
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The Killer (2024)
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 1 parent review
What's the Story?
Zee (Nathalie Emmanuel) is a British assassin for hire living in Paris in THE KILLER. She answers to Finn (Sam Worthington), a man who helped her escape a rough life and trained her to kill. Each time she's given a case, she makes sure the targets deserve the death that's coming. But on one assignment, she takes pity on a victim, Jenn (Diana Silvers), a singer blinded after a fall. Now Zee will have to face both Finn and Sey (Omar Sy), the police officer assigned to investigate the killings, which turn out to be part of a much larger case involving a heist against a high-profile ring of drug smugglers and a group of corrupt cops.
Is It Any Good?
Woo's remake of his own now classic 1989 action film delivers with a sexy and stylish thriller, if you can withstand the blood and violence. Sy (Lupin) and Emmanuel (Game of Thrones) make a captivating pair in The Killer. You somehow want them both to triumph, even as they're working for much of the film on opposite sides, and even as Emmanuel's Zee commits atrocious acts. The two gorgeous and charismatic experts also have a chemistry and eroticism that goes underexploited. That's not the main focus here—the action is, and Woo is a master. Fans are likely to compare the remake unkindly to its predecessor, precisely because he, and the original, are so revered.
But taken on its own, this is a great watch. Many of the techniques Woo is known for are on display in minutely choreographed fight scenes made to feel like a dance, set to operatic or jazzy musical themes crescendoing with the action. A final battle scene in and around a church purposefully goes on longer than necessary, at the service of intended suspense and symbolism. Other interesting uses of camera angles, lighting, split screens, and original music keep the entire viewing experience exciting despite relatively predictable plot turns and unnecessary flashbacks. Language switching doesn't always make sense in the film's Parisian setting, but it still made a great location choice.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how this version of The Killer compares to the original, if they've seen it. What do you make of the new cast and setting? What's improved or lessened, in your opinion?
Do you believe Sey shows integrity? Does Zee? Can a person demonstrate integrity even in questionable actions or morally fuzzy scenarios? Why, or why not?
Woo seems to revel in the details of his action sequences. How does the violence make you feel? Is it ever excessive?
The original version of this film was considered to have influenced other filmmakers around the world. What movies have you seen that remind you of this one? Do you see an influence?
Why do a remake? What's the point? What do you think is the director's motivation in remaking his own movie?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: August 23, 2024
- Cast: Nathalie Emmanuel , Omar Sy , Sam Worthington
- Director: John Woo
- Inclusion Information: Asian directors, Female actors, Black actors
- Studio: Peacock
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts , Friendship
- Run time: 128 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: strong/bloody violence and language
- Last updated: August 29, 2024
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