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Action thriller

The Killer's Game (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

The Killer's Game (2024) movie poster

The Killer's Game is a 2024 action thriller directed by J.J. Perry, starring Dave Bautista as Joe Flood, Sofia Boutella and Ben Kingsley. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes and earned $5.9 million worldwide on a $30 million budget. Critics gave it 36 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10.

IMDb rating
5.8/10
worldwide gross
$5.9M
Echo Score
48
Metascore
36
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The Killer's Game (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 44m (104 min)
Director
J.J. Perry
Genres
Action , Comedy , Thriller
Original language
English
Budget
$30M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Killer's Game About?

The premise of The Killer's Game without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Facing a grim diagnosis, renowned hitman Joe Flood plans his own demise in a darkly comedic mission. However, his plan quickly descends into chaos when the assassins he hires mistakenly target his ex-girlfriend. He must then fight against his former colleagues, all while desperately trying to reconnect with the woman he lost.

The Killer's Game Themes & Keywords

· 40 tags
  • assassin
  • hitman
  • gun
  • weapon
  • gun fight
  • ballet dancer
  • mistaken diagnosis
  • mistaken medical diagnosis
  • motorcycle assassins
  • korean hitmen
  • korean assassins
  • pregnant girlfriend
+28 more
  • creutzfeldt jakob disease
  • hitman confession to priest
  • shootout in a church
  • female rear nudity
  • female nudity
  • killer
  • fight
  • male protagonist
  • girlfriend
  • friend
  • weapons cache
  • villainess
  • wannabe hitman
  • flamingo dancer hitman
  • cjd disease
  • hit on hitman
  • party girl assassins
  • bolshoi ballet
  • flamingo dancer assassin
  • motorcycle hitmen
  • party girl hitmen
  • stripper assassins
  • stripper hitmen
  • year 2023
  • bare chested male
  • based on novel
  • male nudity
  • male rear nudity
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Cast & crew

The Killer's Game Cast & Characters

Dave Bautista leads the cast as Joe Flood, with Sofia Boutella as Maize Arnaud and Ben Kingsley as Zvi Rabinowitz. Directed by J.J. Perry; 20 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from J.J. Perry

One more film directed by J.J. Perry: Day Shift.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Killer's Game Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Killer's Game 36 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 48/100, strongest in sensory experience (60) and weakest in story & flow (30).

48 /100

The Killer's Game Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, The Killer’s Game delivers unsatisfying results due to its generic storytelling and uneven execution. While action sequences occasionally provide visceral excitement, most plot elements and character arcs feel derivative and lacking in depth. The reliance on Dave Bautista’s charisma prevents the film from fully engaging, although its brutal fight choreography and gore-driven style offer intermittent thrills. On balance, the film remains a middling action-comedy that may entertain genre fans but falls short of lasting impact or broader appeal.

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

  • Art & Craft 50

    In terms of direction and cinematography, the film offers moments of visceral energy amid largely uninspired presentation. The fight sequences are staged with brutal clarity and occasional creative camera angles, but inconsistent editing and conventional shot framing undermine visual momentum. Production design captures Budapest with authenticity, yet the overall aesthetic remains generic. Consequently, the film’s craft contributes unevenly to its impact.

  • Character & Emotion 55

    When it comes to acting and character depth, the film leans heavily on Dave Bautista’s presence while underutilizing its supporting ensemble. Bautista delivers a solid, affable performance, but limited emotional development for the rom-com lead and simplistic antagonists reduce engagement. Chemistry moments feel fleeting, and emotional stakes fail to register. Overall, character work provides modest appeal but lacks depth.

  • Story & Flow 30

    When examining plot coherence and pacing, the narrative proves overly familiar and unevenly paced. The script recycles genre tropes without significant twists, resulting in a thin storyline that struggles to sustain interest between action set pieces. Extended gore sequences momentarily heighten tension but do little to address underdeveloped motivations. In sum, the story feels generic and lacks compelling momentum.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    In terms of sensory experience, the film’s aggressive sound design and vivid gore create a visceral atmosphere. The soundtrack offers intermittent, suitably dynamic cues that complement fight scenes but lacks memorable themes. Visual style employs a gritty, grindhouse influence, yet inconsistent editing occasionally disrupts cohesion. Overall, the sensory elements deliver sporadic intensity but do not achieve sustained stylistic unity.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    When considering replay value, the film’s emphasis on over-the-top action may satisfy genre enthusiasts but offers limited long-term appeal. The straightforward plot and minimal character development reduce interest in subsequent viewings, while the most memorable moments hinge on isolated fight choreography. As a result, enjoyment on a second viewing is largely contingent on appreciation for visceral spectacle rather than narrative depth.

Plot

The Killer's Game Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Killer's Game 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 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the vibrant atmosphere of a Budapest dance hall, dancers elegantly sway to the music, but the scene soon turns somber as Joe Flood (Dave Bautista), a deadly figure cloaked in shadows, executes his grim assignment with cold precision. He swiftly dispatches several guards before confronting his target on a balcony high above the stage. Despite the condemned man’s desperate plea for a final moment to savor the performance, Joe’s mercy is as fleeting as the echo of a gunshot that silences him forever. He then orders a terrified female attendant to escape the chaos.

Full summary

The whole story of The Killer's Game, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

The Killer's Game Box Office & Budget

The Killer's Game grossed $5.9 million worldwide on a $30 million budget, 20% of what it cost. $5.4 million came from the US and Canada and $523,973 (9%) from the rest of the world.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$5.9M

20% of its budget back

US & Canada
$5.4M
International
$524K
Budget
$30M
US & Canada 91% Rest of the world 9%
Videos

The Killer's Game Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 featurette.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer Final Trailer
  • Featurette Special Feature - 'Explained in 60 Seconds'
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Killer's Game?

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 city does the film open in during the dance performance?

Details

The Killer's Game Also Known As

24 alternative titles, including “بازی قاتلان” and “משחק המתנקש”.

Also known as
  • بازی قاتلان
  • משחק המתנקש
  • The Killers Game
  • 殺手遊戲
  • Убийствената игра
  • 킬러의 게임
  • Katil Oyunu
  • Гра кілера
  • Игра киллера
  • Trò Chơi Sát Thủ, მკვლელის თამაში
  • بازی قاتل
  • Ölj meg, ha tudsz!
+12 more
  • 杀手游戏
  • O Jogo do Assassino
  • Juego de Asesinos
  • Vražda Hrou
  • เกมนักล่า ล่านักฆ่า
  • Igra ubojica
  • משחק המתנקשים
  • El juego del asesino
  • Žudiko žaidimas
  • Jocul asasinului
  • キラーズ・ゲーム
  • El joc dels assassins

Seen The Killer's Game?

FAQ

The Killer's Game FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is The Killer's Game?

The Killer's Game runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).

When was The Killer's Game released?

The Killer's Game was released on September 13, 2024.

Who directed The Killer's Game?

The Killer's Game was directed by J.J. Perry.

More films by J.J. Perry

Who is in the cast of The Killer's Game?

The Killer's Game stars Dave Bautista as Joe Flood, Sofia Boutella as Maize Arnaud and Ben Kingsley as Zvi Rabinowitz, among 20 credited actors.

How much did The Killer's Game make at the box office?

The Killer's Game grossed $5.9 million worldwide ($5.4 million domestic, $523,973 international) on a budget of $30 million.

How is The Killer's Game rated?

The Killer's Game has 5.8/10 on IMDb, 36 on Metacritic and 64% on TMDB.

Does The Killer's Game have a post-credit scene?

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

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