The Killer

The Killer

Year: 1989

Runtime: 110 mins

Language: Cantonese

Director: John Woo

CrimeDramaActionThrillerCrime

Mob assassin Jeffrey is the industry's most skilled hitman, treating killing as a calling. After his latest job blinds nightclub singer Jennie, he decides to retire and take one final contract to fund her eye surgery. Betrayed, Jeffrey is forced to team up with a rogue cop to settle the score and protect the woman he inadvertently harmed.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Killer (1989)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Killer (1989). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Paris, France, Marseille, France

The story unfolds largely within Paris’s shadowy districts, including a marquee nightclub, a hospital, and an abandoned church. A Marseille drug network provides the broader criminal backdrop that drives the killings and double-crossings. Paris serves as a cosmopolitan stage where glamour, crime, and danger collide.

🗺️ Urban setting 🎭 Nightlife 🕵️‍♂️ Underworld

Last Updated: November 29, 2025 at 00:44

Main Characters – The Killer (1989)

Meet the key characters of The Killer (1989), 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. She relies on disguises, precision, and ruthless efficiency to eliminate rivals. Despite her fearsome reputation, she shows selective mercy and begins to contemplate a life beyond violence as the story progresses.

🗡️ Antihero

Jenn Clark

An American singer performing in a Paris nightclub who becomes entwined in the drug war. Her involvement triggers a deadly sequence of events, and she suffers a loss of sight before ultimately regaining it. Her experiences drive the investigation and shape Zee’s choices.

🎤 Singer 👁️ Survivor

Inspector Sey

A police inspector who pursues the night’s murders and the drug network, navigating bureaucratic pushback and corruption. He partners with Zee at critical moments and ultimately joins forces to dismantle Finn’s scheme. His persistence highlights the tension between duty and self-preservation.

🕵️‍♂️ Detective

Finn

An Irishman working for Jules Gobert, orchestrating murders to corner the Paris drug market. He represents the calculating, self-serving side of the criminal world and drives much of the conflict. His plans collide with Zee’s evolving motives and Sey’s investigation.

💰 Crime Boss

Last Updated: November 29, 2025 at 00:44

Major Themes – The Killer (1989)

Explore the central themes of The Killer (1989), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕊️ Redemption

Zee’s lethal career is contrasted with rare moments of mercy and a possible longing for a different life. Her evolving alliance with Sey hints at personal redemption beyond vengeance. The ending suggests a potential turning point, even as the criminal world remains dangerous.

⚖️ Moral Ambiguity

The narrative blurs lines between hunter and hunted, and between law and crime. Characters justify brutal acts as necessary within a corrupt system. Loyalties shift, exposing competing codes of honor in a world where power and fear override justice.

💥 Violence and Power

A chain of brutal killings in a nightclub, hospital chaos, and gangland scheming reveals how quickly power swings in the underworld. The pursuit of heroin and the orchestration of assassinations propel the plot. Survival hinges on decisive action and calculated risk in a world ruled by violence.

Last Updated: November 29, 2025 at 00:44

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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.

Redemptive Hitman Stories Like The Killer

Skilled killers seek a way out, haunted by one last job gone wrong.If you liked The Killer, explore more movies about cold-blooded assassins seeking redemption. These crime thrillers feature skilled hitmen on one last job, forced alliances, and a heavy emotional weight as they confront the consequences of their violent lives.

redemptiveviolentmethodicalcynicaltenseguilt-riddenatmospheric

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern typically involves a 'one last job' premise that spirals out of control due to betrayal, forcing the protagonist to break their solitary rules. The journey is less about achieving a clean victory and more about atonement, often culminating in a bittersweet resolution where survival comes at a great personal cost.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on a specific character arc: the redemption of a methodical killer. They blend high-intensity action with a heavy emotional core, exploring themes of guilt, loyalty, and the possibility of change within a cynical, corrupt world.

Movies With Tense Alliances Like The Killer

Enemies become temporary partners to survive a web of betrayal.Find movies similar to The Killer where heroes and villains form shaky alliances. These fast-paced thrillers and crime dramas feature rogue cops teaming with criminals, shifting loyalties, and high-stakes action in a morally ambiguous world of betrayal.

tenseparanoidcynicalviolentatmosphericshifting loyaltiescorruption

Narrative Summary

The narrative revolves around a central, forced partnership—often between a criminal and a law enforcement officer—that drives the plot forward. The tension comes from the constant threat of betrayal within the alliance itself, as both parties navigate a larger, more powerful corrupt network. The story is linear and propulsive, focusing on survival and a final confrontation.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their core dynamic of a 'alliance of convenience'. They share a tense, paranoid mood, fast pacing fueled by constant danger, and a cynical tone where the lines between good and evil are permanently blurred.

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

The Killer Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Killer 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.

The Killer Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Killer

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Killer: 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 The Killer

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Discover movies like The Killer 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.