Assassination Tango

Assassination Tango

Year: 2003

Runtime: 114 min

Language: English

DramaThrillerRomanceCrime

A seasoned assassin, Robert Duvall, travels to Argentina with a dangerous mission: to eliminate a high-ranking official. While waiting for his target, he becomes captivated by the passionate world of tango and falls for its alluring practitioner, Luciana Pedraza. As their connection deepens through sensual dance, the reality of his assignment intrudes, threatening to shatter the intoxicating spell that has enveloped him.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Assassination Tango yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Assassination Tango (2003)

Trace every key event in Assassination Tango (2003) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

John's Double Life

John J. lives a complicated life as a seasoned hitman in New York City. Although he has a loving girlfriend and a young stepdaughter, he struggles to keep his criminal activities hidden from them, creating a contrast between his two worlds.

New York City
2

Life-Changing Night

One night, everything changes for John when he stabs a man in a nightclub while waiting in line. This shocking act of violence marks a turning point in his life, as he manages to escape the scene without leaving any traces.

Nightclub, New York City
3

New Contract

Following the violent incident, John meets with his boss to discuss a new hit contract. This job will take him all the way to Buenos Aires, Argentina, pushing him deeper into the world he wishes to leave.

New York City
4

Arrival in Buenos Aires

Upon his arrival in Buenos Aires, John meets the individuals who organized the hit, emphasizing the importance of completing the job swiftly. However, their urgency is met with unforeseen delays that extend the timeline significantly.

Buenos Aires, Argentina
5

Exploring Tango Culture

With the job timeline pushed back, John begins to immerse himself in the vibrant local culture, particularly the enchanting world of tango. His fascination with the dance becomes a significant part of his experience in Buenos Aires.

Buenos Aires, Argentina
6

Meeting Manuela

John's interest in tango leads him to meet a captivating dancer named Manuela. Although she is hesitant at first, their connection begins to develop as they engage in coffee and conversation about their lives.

Café, Buenos Aires
7

Personal Connections

During a heartwarming coffee date, Manuela opens up about her life as a single mother. Meanwhile, John shares his complicated situation, revealing doubts about his age affecting any potential romance, but Manuela encourages him.

Café, Buenos Aires
8

Blossoming Relationship

As John and Manuela's relationship grows, they spend delightful evenings dancing and sharing meals with her family. This joyful period allows John to escape from the weight of his dark professional life.

Buenos Aires, Argentina
9

Increased Distrust

As time goes on, John's suspicion of the men who hired him intensifies, prompting him to take action on the hit earlier than planned. His decision to move forward is driven by a need for safety as he becomes increasingly entangled in danger.

Buenos Aires, Argentina
10

A Heartbreaking Choice

Amidst chaos, John is forced to choose between his safety and his blossoming relationship with Manuela. He decides to prioritize his own escape, leaving behind the woman who had brought him joy in such a troubled time.

Buenos Aires, Argentina
11

Return to NYC

While on the flight back to New York, John's mind drifts to memories of dancing the tango with Manuela. The emotional weight of his choices begins to settle in as he reflects on what he left behind.

Flight to New York
12

Reunion in New York

Once back in New York City, John reconnects with his girlfriend and her daughter, seeking to reinforce his family ties. In a light moment, he even shares with the little girl some tango moves, attempting to keep the spirit of joy alive.

New York City
13

Bittersweet Ending

As the story concludes, a poignant voiceover from Manuela reveals she has sent John a video of tango lessons. Her hope that he finds joy in dancing leaves the audience with a sense of longing and a bittersweet connection.

Last Updated: November 04, 2024 at 00:01

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about killers and art like Assassination Tango

Killers who find an unexpected moral crossroads through immersion in a beautiful art.If you liked the story of an assassin finding unexpected grace in Assassination Tango, you'll appreciate these films. This thread gathers movies where hitmen, spies, and criminals have their worldviews shaken by encounters with beautiful art forms, leading to powerful internal conflict and bittersweet dramas.

melancholicsensualreflectivetenseartisticlonelyredemptiveinternal conflict

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a skilled but emotionally detached killer on an assignment. While waiting or preparing, they are pulled into a world of intense artistic expression—be it tango, painting, or music. This immersion creates a deep internal conflict, forcing the character to confront the emptiness of their life versus the beauty they've discovered, often leading to a tragic or bittersweet choice.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their unique blend of a gritty crime premise with a soulful artistic journey. They share a tone that is both melancholic and sensual, exploring themes of duality, redemption, and the power of beauty to temporarily transcend a life of violence.

Movies about fleeting escape like Assassination Tango

Stories of temporary passion and beauty that are shadowed by an unavoidable reality.For viewers who enjoyed the bittersweet temporary romance and cultural immersion in Assassination Tango, this thread finds similar films. These stories focus on characters who find a beautiful but unsustainable escape from their reality, resulting in melancholic and deeply reflective dramas about what could have been.

bittersweetmelancholicsensualnostalgiclonelyreflectiveescapistromantic

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a protagonist entering a new environment, often while on a specific mission or due to circumstance. They become immersed in a local culture and form a deep, often romantic, connection that serves as a complete escape from their normal life. The core tension comes from the audience's awareness that this interlude is temporary, building towards an inevitable and bittersweet farewell.

Why These Movies?

These films share a specific emotional mix: the hopeful, sensual glow of a perfect escape contrasted with the melancholic dread of its impending end. They are united by a slow, atmospheric pacing that allows the viewer to feel the beauty of the moment and the weight of its fragility, leading to a reflective and bittersweet conclusion.

Unlock the Full Story of Assassination Tango

Don't stop at just watching — explore Assassination Tango in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Assassination Tango is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Assassination Tango Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Assassination Tango, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Assassination Tango Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Assassination Tango

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Assassination Tango. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Assassination Tango

Assassination Tango Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Assassination Tango that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Assassination Tango Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Assassination Tango

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Assassination Tango: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Assassination Tango

Similar Movies to Assassination Tango

Discover movies like Assassination Tango that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.