- EddyVenom3 January 2026They don’t make movies like this anymore. The Killer is a foundational action film and a masterclass in style and emotion, slow-motion gunfights, operatic themes of honor and redemption. It has influenced countless directors (like Tarantino and those in Hollywood), making it essential viewing for all action fans. All though far from perfect because of the lack of realism and endless bullets. John Woo's The Killer is a masterpiece of Hong Kong action cinema.
The Killer Trivia
The Killer was released on 24 March 1989.
The Killer was directed by John Woo.
The Killer has a runtime of 1h 51m.
The Killer was produced by Tsui Hark.
A Hong Kong hit man accidentally blinds an innocent woman during a hit. He is determined to get her surgery to help regain her sight but he first needs to complete one more hit. He completes the job but then is ambushed as he tries to escape; someone wants him dead. Meanwhile, a resourceful and unorthodox police detective is hot on his trail.
The key characters in The Killer are Jong (Chow Yun-Fat), Insp. Li Ying / Little Eagle (Danny Lee Sau-Yin), Jennie (Sally Yip Sin-Man).
The Killer is rated 18.
The Killer is an Action, Crime, Drama film.
The Killer has an audience rating of 9.2 out of 10.
The Killer has made US$2.4M at the box office.