The Killer

The Killer

Year: 1990

Runtime: 111 min

Language: English

Director: John Woo

ActionDramaThrillerCrime

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.

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Timeline & Setting – The Killer (1990)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Killer (1990). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Paris, Marseille

Set primarily in Paris, the film follows Zee through neon-lit streets and shadowed rooms of the underworld. Action shifts to a Marseille nightclub where a rival drug gang party, a hospital where Jenn recovers, Tessier's discreet tailoring shop, and an abandoned church used for a tense exchange. The city itself feels glamorous yet dangerous, shaping Zee's choices as loyalties are tested and enemies close in.

🏙️ Urban setting 🌃 Nightlife 🗺️ Underworld

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:03

Main Characters – The Killer (1990)

Meet the key characters of The Killer (1990), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Zee

A professional hitwoman living in Paris, known as the Queen of the Dead in the underworld. She relies on disguises provided by Tessier, guards a pet goldfish, and solves crossword puzzles between jobs. Her violence has left her with few joys, but she shows mercy and a capacity for change as events unfold.

🗡️ Assassin 🪪 Disguise 🐟 Pet

Finn

An Irish operative working for crime lord Jules Gobert, who contracts Zee to eliminate rivals and to dominate the Paris drug scene. He is calculating, ruthless, and willing to manipulate allies and law enforcement alike to achieve total control.

🗡️ Crime 🧠 Manipulation 💰 Power

Tessier

An elderly, high-class tailor who remains a rare friend to Zee. He provides disguises for Zee's jobs and offers quiet companionship, serving as a counterpoint to Zee's brutal life.

🧵 Tailor 🪄 Disguise 🐟 Pet

Jenn Clark

An American singer performing at a Marseille nightclub; she becomes entangled in the drug war after her boyfriend Coco's death. Her accident leads to temporary blindness and reveals the collateral damage of the underworld.

🎤 Music 🌀 Trauma 👁️ Sight

Sey

A police inspector whose pursuit of Jenn's case uncovers Zee's involvement. He is skeptical of Zee's innocence and becomes a key ally against Finn as the plot unfolds.

🚓 Police 🔎 Suspicion 🤝 Alliance

Jax

Sey's partner who becomes involved in the pursuit surrounding Jenn and Zee; his actions help expose corrupt ties and escalate the conflict.

👮 Partner 🕵️ Investigation

Coco

Jenn's drug-dealing boyfriend who is killed during the night club raid, ironically setting off a chain of events that forces Zee and Sey to rethink their positions.

🧪 Drug trade 💥 Violence

Jules Gobert

A crime lord who supervises the Paris underworld and whose empire is challenged by Zee, Finn, and the unraveling network of corruption.

👑 Crime lord 🕳️ Underworld

Majeb Bin Faheem

An Arabian prince involved in the heroin heist that triggers the central conflict and the police/intrigue around Zee and Finn.

🏴‍☠️ Drug heist 💊 Heroin

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:03

Major Themes – The Killer (1990)

Explore the central themes of The Killer (1990), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🗡️ Loyalty

Loyalty is the thread that binds Zee to Finn and the underworld, yet the story tests that loyalty through betrayals, hidden thefts, and moral choices. She pivots from being a hired killer to someone who acts on her own code, sparing civilians and questioning orders. The tension between duty and personal morality drives the plot and Zee's arc toward potential change.

💰 Power

The drug trade, corrupt cops, and criminal hierarchies showcase how power concentrates among a few players. Finn manipulates both criminals and law enforcement to secure control over Paris's heroin market. Gobert's empire meets its match as Zee and Sey expose the bonds that tie police, gangsters, and politicians together. The pursuit of supremacy escalates violence and instability.

🧭 Identity

Zee's disguises and her alias as the Queen of the Dead highlight a crisis of identity in a world built on masks. She navigates multiple roles—assassin, ally, scapegoat—and evolves as she contemplates a new life. The bond with Tessier, and the decision to spare Jenn, reveal a growing inner compass guiding her actions. The finale signals a potential rebirth beyond the underworld.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:03

Unlock the Full Story of The Killer

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Killer 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 The Killer is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Killer Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Killer, 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.

The Killer Summary

The Killer Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Killer with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Killer Timeline

More About The Killer

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More About The Killer

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