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Action thriller

The Killer (1990): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The Killer (1990) movie poster

The Killer is a 1990 action thriller directed by John Woo, starring Danny Lee, Kenneth Tsang and Sally Yeh. It runs 1 hour 51 minutes and earned $1.7 million worldwide. Critics gave it 82 on Metacritic.

worldwide gross
$1.7M
Metascore
82
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The Killer (1990) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 51m (111 min)
Director
John Woo
Genres
Action , Drama , Thriller , Crime
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Killer About?

The premise of The Killer without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A respected assassin’s career takes a dark turn when he makes a critical mistake, triggering a relentless pursuit by those who once employed him. While desperately trying to stay one step ahead of his former colleagues, he questions his own motivations and the brutal nature of his profession. The intense chase forces him to confront his past and fight for his survival in a gripping battle of wits and skill.

The Killer Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • hong kong
  • hitman
  • gunfight
  • police
  • cult film
  • stylized violence
  • one last job
  • violence
  • blood
  • 1980s
  • contract killer
  • assassin
+38 more
  • assassination
  • church
  • loss of sight
  • blinded by muzzle flash
  • guilt
  • shot to death
  • shot in the back
  • hong kong police
  • police detective
  • manhunt
  • detective inspector
  • police inspector
  • officer down
  • cop killer
  • singer
  • airport
  • shootout
  • foot chase
  • streetcar
  • tram
  • sniper rifle
  • shot in the head
  • chinese triad
  • triad boss
  • police sketch artist
  • hospital
  • emergency room
  • collateral damage
  • wounded child
  • caught in the crossfire
  • car chase
  • removing bullets from a gun
  • caught in crossfire
  • scope reflection
  • double cross
  • betrayal
  • betrayed
  • speedboat
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Cast & crew

The Killer Cast

Danny Lee leads the cast, with Kenneth Tsang and Sally Yeh. Directed by John Woo; 10 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

The Killer Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Killer 82 on Metacritic.

Plot

The Killer Plot Summary

What happens in The Killer from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Zee is a highly skilled hit woman based in Paris, whose ruthless career is steered by Finn, an Irishman working for the formidable crime lord Jules Gobert. Her world is a mix of danger and quiet moments—she keeps a goldfish, solves crossword puzzles, and maintains a fragile friendship with Tessier, an old high-class tailor who provides disguises for her assignments. In the underworld, she has earned the chilling title of the “Queen of the Dead.”

Full summary

The whole story of The Killer, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Killer Box Office

The Killer grossed $1.7 million worldwide.

1990 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.7M

US & Canada
$1.7M
Videos

The Killer Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Killer.

The Killer (1989) ORIGINAL TRAILER [HD 1080p]
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Killer?

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 the name of the highly skilled hitwoman at the center of the story?

Cars

Cars in The Killer

35 cars on screen, including the 1978 Citroën CX and the 1979 Datsun 200L.

All 35 cars
  • 1978 Citroën CX in The Killer 1978 Citroën CX Important role
  • 1979 Datsun 200L in The Killer 1979 Datsun 200L Important role
  • 1977 Ford Cortina MkIV in The Killer 1977 Ford Cortina MkIV Important role
  • 1977 Ford Cortina MkIV in The Killer 1977 Ford Cortina MkIV Important role
Details

The Killer Also Known As

21 alternative titles, including “Blast Killer” and “첩혈쌍웅”.

Also known as
  • Blast Killer
  • 첩혈쌍웅
  • Наемный убийца
  • Dip huet seung hung
  • Bloodshed of Two Heroes
  • 喋血双雄
  • El asesino
  • 牒血雙雄
  • The Killer (El asesino)
  • Acımasız Katil
  • A bérgyilkos
  • הרוצח
+9 more
  • O Matador
  • Płatny morderca
  • Samdomas žudikas
  • Убиецът
  • Найманий убивця
  • O Assassino
  • โหดตัดโหด
  • 狼 男たちの挽歌・最終章
  • Điệp huyết song hùng

Seen The Killer?

FAQ

The Killer FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Killer, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Killer?

The Killer runs 1 hour 51 minutes (111 minutes).

When was The Killer released?

The Killer was released on September 1, 1990.

Who directed The Killer?

The Killer was directed by John Woo.

More films by John Woo

Who is in the cast of The Killer?

The Killer stars Danny Lee, Kenneth Tsang and Sally Yeh, among 10 credited actors.

How much did The Killer make at the box office?

The Killer grossed $1.7 million worldwide.

How is The Killer rated?

The Killer has 82 on Metacritic.

Does The Killer have a post-credit scene?

No. The Killer has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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