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Characters & Themes

Hitman (2007) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2007 · 100 min
JustWatch #9,458 11
Directed by
Xavier Gens
Starring
Olga Kurylenko, Timothy Olyphant, Dougray Scott

A genetically engineered assassin known as Agent 47 possesses exceptional skill and precision. He leads a calculated existence, eliminating targets as part of his profession. However, an unexpected encounter with a captivating Russian woman challenges his detached life and forces him to question his suppressed emotions and moral compass. He must now navigate a dangerous path, balancing his lethal abilities with the stirrings of humanity.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (3)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Hitman
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Hitman (2007)

Where can you watch Hitman? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV and Amazon Video: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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3 main characters · contains spoilers

Hitman Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Hitman (2007), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Agent 47

    played by Dougray Scott

    A cold and calculated assassin known for his exceptional skills in execution and evasion. Agent 47 is a master tactician who operates under immense pressure while grappling with the fallout of his decisions. His character embodies the clash between duty and personal morality.

    • 🔪 Assassin
    • 🤐 Enigmatic
  • Diana

    played by Olga Kurylenko

    Agent 47's agency contact who exhibits a mysterious blend of loyalty and manipulation. Her duality is evident as she guides Agent 47's actions while harboring secrets that may jeopardize his mission. Her motivations are complex, making her both an ally and a potential traitor.

    • 💼 Agent
    • ❓ Mysterious
  • Mike Whittier

    played by Timothy Olyphant

    An Interpol agent determined to capture Agent 47, embodying the relentless pursuit of justice. Though earnest in his role, Whittier finds himself unwittingly drawn into the web of deceit surrounding the main events, showcasing a moral conflict in his duty.

    • 🔍 Investigator
    • ⚖️ Justice

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:17

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Setting

Where and When Does Hitman Take Place?

The setting of Hitman (2007): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

Modern Day

Set in contemporary times, the film showcases the global underbelly of contract killing and political conspiracies. It highlights a world where technology and international relations create an environment rife with deception and the looming threat of assassination.

Location

Niger, Turkey, Russia

The film takes place across various international locations, starting in Niger, where Agent 47 completes a high-profile assassination. The narrative also ventures into Turkey, illustrating a dynamic arms-dealing environment, and culminates in Russia, known for its complex power plays and intrigue surrounding political figures.

  • 🏙️ Location
  • 🌍 International

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:17

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3 major themes

Hitman Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Hitman (2007) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Betrayal

    Betrayal threads through the heart of the movie, as Agent 47 discovers that friends and foes are often indistinguishable. The premise revolves around the deceptive nature of those who appear loyal, particularly within the agency, which ultimately leads to shocking revelations and deadly implications.

  • Identity

    The theme of identity is central to the narrative, particularly through Agent 47's struggle to reclaim his autonomy amidst manipulative forces. The intricacies of mistaken identity and the consequences of living in the shadows highlight the complexity of being both a hunter and hunted.

  • Conspiracy

    Conspiracy is an overarching theme as Agent 47 navigates through layers of deception and covert operations. The film intricately weaves a plot involving high-stakes sabotage aimed at international figures, emphasizing how each character's motivations intertwine with a larger, sinister objective.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:17

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Character & theme questions

Hitman Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Hitman (2007): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where does the movie take place?

The film spans multiple international locations, beginning in Niger where Agent 47 completes a high-profile assassination. The story then moves to Turkey, showcasing a dynamic arms-dealing environment, before culminating in Russia where complex political power plays and intrigue unfold.

  • locations
  • niger
  • turkey
  • russia
  • setting
  • international
Q2

When is the story set?

The movie is set in contemporary modern times, depicting a world of contract killing and political conspiracies where technology and international relations create an environment filled with deception and assassination threats.

  • time period
  • modern day
  • contemporary
  • era
Q3

What are the main themes?

Hitman explores three central themes: betrayal, where friends and foes become indistinguishable within deceptive agencies; identity, focusing on Agent 47's struggle for autonomy amid manipulative forces; and conspiracy, weaving a complex plot involving high-stakes sabotage aimed at international figures.

  • themes
  • betrayal
  • identity
  • conspiracy
  • meaning
Q4

What does the betrayal theme explore?

Betrayal runs through the heart of the film as Agent 47 discovers that those who appear loyal, particularly within the agency, are often not what they seem. This leads to shocking revelations with deadly consequences for everyone involved.

  • betrayal
  • deception
  • agency
  • loyalty
Q5

What does the identity theme mean in the movie?

Identity is central to the narrative, particularly through Agent 47's struggle to reclaim his autonomy. The theme explores the complexities of mistaken identity and the consequences of living in the shadows, highlighting the duality of being both hunter and hunted.

  • identity
  • autonomy
  • mistaken identity
  • shadows
Q6

How does conspiracy drive the story?

Conspiracy serves as an overarching theme as Agent 47 navigates layers of deception and covert operations. The film weaves a plot involving high-stakes sabotage targeting international figures, showing how individual character motivations intertwine with larger sinister objectives.

  • conspiracy
  • covert operations
  • sabotage
  • deception
Q7

Who is Agent 47?

Agent 47 is a genetically engineered assassin known for his exceptional skill and precision. A cold, calculated operative who is a master tactician operating under immense pressure, he grapples with the fallout of his decisions and the clash between duty and personal morality.

  • agent 47
  • assassin
  • character
  • skills
  • tactician
Q8

Who is Diana in the film?

Diana is Agent 47's agency contact, portrayed as a mysterious figure exhibiting a blend of loyalty and manipulation. Her duality is evident as she guides his actions while harboring secrets that may jeopardize his mission, making her both an ally and potential traitor.

  • diana
  • agency
  • contact
  • loyalty
  • manipulation
Q9

Who is Mike Whittier?

Mike Whittier is an Interpol agent determined to capture Agent 47, embodying the relentless pursuit of justice. Though earnest in his role, he finds himself unwittingly drawn into the web of deceit surrounding the main events, showcasing a moral conflict in his duty.

  • mike whittier
  • interpol
  • agent
  • justice
  • pursuit
Q10

What challenges Agent 47's detached existence?

An unexpected encounter with a captivating Russian woman challenges Agent 47's detached life, forcing him to question his suppressed emotions and moral compass. This relationship forces him to balance his lethal abilities with the stirrings of humanity.

  • emotions
  • humanity
  • russian woman
  • challenge
  • moral compass
Q11

What is the tone of the film?

The film maintains a tense tone built on suspense, paranoia, and the threat of imminent violence. The intensity is high due to constant life-or-death situations, high-stakes assassinations, and the protagonist being hunted by multiple organizations.

  • tone
  • tense
  • suspense
  • paranoia
  • intensity
Q12

What organizations are involved in the story?

The narrative involves multiple factions including The Agency, Interpol, FSB, and CIA. This creates a complex web where Agent 47 must navigate conflicting interests, each pursuing their own agendas while the assassin uncovers the truth.

  • agency
  • interpol
  • fsb
  • cia
  • factions
  • organizations

Movie threads

More Movies Like Hitman, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Hitman tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Lone Wolf Assassin Movies with a Moral Crisis like Hitman

Cold-blooded professionals find their humanity tested by an unexpected connection. Explore a collection of movies like Hitman, featuring solitary assassins or agents whose cold exteriors crack under pressure. If you enjoyed Agent 47's journey from ruthless professional to a figure questioning his purpose, you'll find similar stories of moral awakening amidst high-stakes action and conspiracy.

  • lone wolf
  • methodical
  • ruthless
  • moral conflict
  • professional killer
  • betrayal
  • Tone: tense, cynical, grim
  • Pacing: fast, methodical
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives in this thread typically revolve around a top-tier operative, defined by their precision and emotional detachment, who is assigned a target that somehow humanizes their mission. This creates an internal conflict between their ingrained programming or code and a burgeoning sense of empathy, often set against a backdrop of betrayal and powerful conspiracies.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here because they share a central character archetype—the lone wolf killer—and a specific narrative arc of moral questioning. They blend high-intensity action with a medium emotional weight, focusing on the tension between a character's cold efficiency and their suppressed humanity.

Fast-Paced Conspiracy Thrillers Like Hitman

One person against a shadowy network, where trust is a liability and escape is the only goal. Discover movies similar to Hitman that plunge a single hero into a labyrinth of betrayal and hidden agendas. If you liked the tense, high-octane chase as Agent 47 unraveled a conspiracy involving powerful agencies, you'll enjoy these stories of paranoia, survival, and navigating a world where no one can be trusted.

  • conspiracy
  • suspenseful
  • paranoid
  • on the run
  • betrayal
  • ruthless
  • Tone: tense, suspenseful, paranoid
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a protagonist stumbling upon or being framed by a complex conspiracy, instantly making them the prey of a powerful, often faceless organization. The story is a series of narrow escapes, violent confrontations, and uncovering clues, driven by a need to expose the truth or simply survive against overwhelming odds.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped together by their shared vibe of constant suspense and paranoia. They prioritize a fast pace, high intensity, and a tense tone, creating an experience where the viewer is thrust into a chaotic world of shifting allegiances and imminent danger alongside the main character.

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Movies Like Hitman

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Every angle

Hitman (2007) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Hitman in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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