The Killer (2023)

October 25, 2023 (US) • Crime, Thriller • 118m

Overview

After a fateful miss, an assassin battles his employers, and himself, on an international manhunt he insists isn't personal.

Director

Michael Fassbender

Keywords

sniper new york city assassin airport paris, france hitman new orleans, louisiana dark comedy client product placement sociopath revenge murder fate lawyer brutality based on graphic novel character study perfectionist hired killer empathy dominican republic assassination attempt cold blooded killer detached tampa, florida satirical manhunt international manhunt precision gig economy dark clinical psychological secret violence suspenseful intense audacious wry

Where to watch

Free / Included

Netflix

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Top Billed Cast

Crew

Reviews

Manuel São Bento

⭐ 6/10

September 3, 2023

FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://fandomwire.com/the-killer-venice-film-festival-review-a-tense-yet-superficial-experience/

"The Killer is unquestionably the simplest, most straightforward movie of David Fincher's career, for better and for worse. On one hand, Michael Fassbender's melancholy narration and magnetic performance, as well as the moody cinematography and throbbing score, contribute to the immersive, tension-driven experience remar… read the rest.

CinemaSerf

⭐ 6/10

November 1, 2023

Does anyone remember Baz Luhrmann's song "Sunscreen"? Well the narrative mantra provided here by assassin Michael Fassbender reminded me of some of the profundities of that lyric - though not as wittily. The remainder of this film, however, is unlikely to be conjuring up memories anytime soon. His meticulously planned kill takes out a poor, leather-clad, school mistress instead of the intended target and so he has to flee. Now one might assume th… read the rest.

MovieGuys

⭐ 6/10

November 12, 2023

The Killer presents a stylish front, intelligent narration and quality performances, backed by compelling cinematography.

That said, when you take a step back, its still "just another" hit man flick, leaving far shallower footsteps, than say, Leon: The Professional.

Its essentially driven by a very basic story, that's too truncated to add up to anything meaningful, partially compensated for by lashings of action packed, exposition and a d… read the rest.

BornKnight

⭐ 8/10

November 15, 2023

Raw and ruthless - The Killer by David Fincher is basically a 75% thriller 25% action movie that tells about the daily life of a hired hitman - that makes a mistake on job (this is shown in the first 30 min). Then he and who he cares (a girlfriend in Dominican Republic) will pay the price - but things aren't so easy. It reminded me very much the ecstasy of seeing the fist movie incarnation of 007 by Daniel Craig raw violence and not a snobby agent on a suit.

He won't let those whom did he things go impune, so what to do do? Chase one by one, hitman style, silent, evasive, focalized - the prototype of a Sigma male (like others characters aka John Wick, James Bond, etc.).

David Fincher is already know by a huge list of excellent movies including The SOcial Network, Se7ven, Gone Girl, Fight Club, The Zodiac, Mindhunter and the list go on. He already have his established style, violent and gritty and The Killer doesn't go far from it.

Don't get me wrong - this isn't from the "another movie" perspective, by another good movie perspective. Andrew Kevin Walker (Se7en, 8mm) wrote the script based on the french comic book 'Le Tueurby" by the writer Matz and artist Luc Jacamon (2000).

Action wise, the movie have more scenes of the standard procedures of the "profession" that raw action, aside from one chapter, where there is a brutal fight (the movie is divided in chapters btw). Michael Fassbender and the others (I am truly a fan of any movie that Tilda Swinton stars) - are the pieces that make the movie especially the first one, raw, obstinate and methodic while always listening to "The Smiths" to keep his mind clean and focus on what to do, to not deviate from the plan.

Although there are few lines of dialog between characters, 90% os the dialog is from Fassbender in first person, on the thoughts in his mind.

Aside from the strange fitting of Morrissey in the music track, we have a minimalistic but sober OST made impeccability by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. This movie is a must watch to anyone that enjoy hitman's movies - I gave it a 8,0 out of 10,0 score / A-.

We may have a contender from adapted screenplay here for the Academy, and maybe for best actor and direction.

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deadlyhorizons

⭐ 6/10

November 17, 2023

A tad bit underwhelming follows an assassin who botched a job and how he goes about it he's very clever and sly Fassbender does really good

Alunauwie

⭐ 8/10

September 24, 2025

The Killer, adapted from a French graphic novel series, presents a methodical narrative divided into chapters that help guide the viewer through the assassin’s cold and calculated world. Michael Fassbender delivers a compelling performance, embodying a professional killer who lives by strict rules, though the film’s slow start and anti-climactic ending may leave some viewers unsatisfied. Despite its underwhelming finale, the film maintains solid … read the rest.

Recommended Movies

Civil War

American Sniper

The Expendables

Full Metal Jacket

Status

Released

Original Language

Budget

$175,000,000

Revenue

$362,113

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The Killer (2023)

Where to watch

Top Billed Cast

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