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Action thriller

Kate (2021): Cast, Ratings & Ending

Kate (2021) movie poster

Kate is a 2021 action thriller directed by Cedric Nicolas-Troyan, starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Kate, Ava Caryofyllis and Amelia Crouch. It runs 1 hour 46 minutes and was made on a reported $25 million budget. Critics gave it 46% on Rotten Tomatoes and 47 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10.

IMDb rating
6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
46%
Echo Score
58
Metascore
47
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Kate (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 46m (106 min)
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
Budget
$25M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Kate About?

The premise of Kate without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A highly skilled assassin finds herself facing a grim reality when a mission goes wrong in Tokyo. Poisoned and with only 24 hours to live, she must exact revenge while her body deteriorates. Along the way, she unexpectedly connects with the daughter of someone she targeted years before, forming a complicated and poignant bond as time runs out.

Kate Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • assassin
  • vengeance
  • murder
  • shootout
  • murderer
  • mission
  • night
  • gun
  • fight
  • female protagonist
  • victim
  • blood
+38 more
  • violence
  • revenge
  • mercy
  • finger gun
  • finger gun decoy for real gun
  • 24 hours to live
  • vomiting
  • female vomiting
  • blood on camera lens
  • reflection in eye
  • death of protagonist
  • shot at the camera
  • poison
  • female assassin
  • gunfight
  • final showdown
  • f word
  • subtitled scene
  • one person army action
  • organized crime
  • urban adventure
  • 21st century
  • one word title
  • showdown
  • concert
  • suspense
  • electronic music score
  • 2020s
  • neo noir
  • subjective camera
  • character's point of view camera shot
  • prologue
  • flashback
  • flash forward
  • younger version of character
  • honor
  • heroic bloodshed
  • conspiracy
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Cast & crew

Kate Cast & Characters

Mary Elizabeth Winstead leads the cast as Kate, with Ava Caryofyllis as Child Kate and Amelia Crouch as Teen Kate. Directed by Cedric Nicolas-Troyan; 17 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Cedric Nicolas-Troyan

One more film directed by Cedric Nicolas-Troyan: The Huntsman: Winter's War.

Full filmography
Ratings

Kate Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Kate 46% on Rotten Tomatoes and 47 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 58/100, strongest in sensory experience (70) and weakest in story & flow (45).

58 /100

Kate Echo Score Breakdown

Kate attempts to blend high‑octane action with a stylized Asian‑inspired setting, delivering competent fight choreography and moments of visual flair, yet it leans heavily on familiar genre conventions. Critics note a derivative script and thin character arcs, while some viewers appreciate the stunt work and Winstead’s presence. The film provides brief entertainment but lacks lasting impact, resulting in a modest overall impression.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 55

    In terms of direction and visual craft, Kate offers a polished production design and occasional striking cinematography, especially in its opening sequences. However, critics point out that the overall aesthetic feels cheap and derivative, relying on familiar genre tropes rather than innovative visuals. Consequently, the film’s artistic execution is competent but uninspired.

  • Character & Emotion 65

    When evaluating character and emotion, Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s performance receives consistent praise for her physicality and on‑screen charisma, providing the film’s primary appeal. Nonetheless, reviewers criticize the lack of depth in supporting characters and a thin emotional arc, noting that the script offers little development beyond surface‑level interactions. The result is engaging lead work amid weak ensemble grounding.

  • Story & Flow 45

    Regarding story and flow, Kate’s plot is widely regarded as derivative, stitching together familiar beats from John Wick, Crank, and classic revenge narratives. While some viewers commend its brisk pacing and a surprise twist, critics highlight formulaic structure and predictable revelations that undermine tension. Overall, the narrative delivers momentary thrills but lacks originality and sustained engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    In terms of sensory experience, the film benefits from competent sound design and a soundtrack that punctuates its action set pieces. Visuals receive mixed feedback: early sequences are praised for vibrant color palettes and kinetic camera work, yet later scenes are described as cheap CGI and over‑reliant on digital effects. The sensory elements thus oscillate between polished and contrived.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    When considering rewatch factor, Kate offers enough kinetic set‑pieces to satisfy genre enthusiasts seeking straightforward action. However, the lack of narrative depth and predictable plot twists reduce its long‑term appeal, causing many viewers to recommend it as a one‑time watch. Consequently, replay value is limited, appealing mainly to fans of high‑energy fight choreography.

Plot

Kate Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Kate from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Kate is a skilled assassin and expert sniper whose formidable abilities are honed under the watchful eye of her mentor and handler, Varrick. Orphaned as a child, Varrick became her father figure, providing her with extensive training in weaponry and combat techniques, ultimately integrating her into his elite team of covert operatives.

Full summary

The whole story of Kate, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Videos

Kate Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 teaser.

KATE | Official Trailer | Netflix
  • Teaser KATE | Official Date Announcement | Netflix
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Kate?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is Kate's profession?

Cars

Cars in Kate

30 cars on screen, including the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML W164 and the 2006 Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse W221.

All 30 cars
  • 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML W164 in Kate 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML W164 Important role
  • 2006 Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse W221 in Kate 2006 Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse W221 Important role
  • 1976 Nissan Cedric in Kate 1976 Nissan Cedric Important role
  • 2018 Toyota Camry in Kate 2018 Toyota Camry Important role
Details

Kate Also Known As

13 alternative titles, including “เคท” and “ケイト:2021”.

Also known as
  • เคท
  • ケイト:2021
  • 케이트
  • Кейт
  • 凯特
  • ‏קייט
  • كيت
  • Κέιτ
  • 絕命凱特
  • ケイト
  • Кејт
  • Кошмарът Кейт
+1 more
  • کیت

Seen Kate?

FAQ

Kate FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, budget, ratings and post-credit scenes of Kate, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Kate?

Kate runs 1 hour 46 minutes (106 minutes).

When was Kate released?

Kate was released on September 10, 2021.

Who directed Kate?

Kate was directed by Cedric Nicolas-Troyan.

More films by Cedric Nicolas-Troyan

Who is in the cast of Kate?

Kate stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Kate, Ava Caryofyllis as Child Kate and Amelia Crouch as Teen Kate, among 17 credited actors.

What was the budget of Kate?

Kate had a reported budget of $25 million.

How is Kate rated?

Kate has 6.3/10 on IMDb, 46% on Rotten Tomatoes, 47 on Metacritic and 66% on TMDB.

Does Kate have a post-credit scene?

No. Kate has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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