# The Killer (1989) — Celluloid fact sheet

Source: https://celluloidscore.com/movies/the-killer-1989/
Last reviewed: 2026-07-23

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Celluloid Score | 86% |
| Critic Score | 96% |
| Audience Score | 93% |
| Metascore | 82/100 |
| Letterboxd | 4.1/5 |
| IMDb | 7.8/10 |
| Director | John Woo |
| Genres | Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller |
| Runtime | 110 min |
| Festival premiere | HKIFF 1989 |

## Quick answer

The Killer (1989) earns a 86% Celluloid Score — Recommended. Woo and Chow’s assassin melodrama is a pinnacle of Hong Kong action — balletic gunfights with genuine tragic weight. Metascore 82/100. Directed by John Woo.

## Critics consensus

Woo and Chow’s assassin melodrama is a pinnacle of Hong Kong action — balletic gunfights with genuine tragic weight.

## Synopsis

Mob assassin Jeffrey is no ordinary hired gun; the best in his business, he views his chosen profession as a calling rather than simply a job. So, when beautiful nightclub chanteuse Jennie is blinded in the crossfire of his most recent hit, Jeffrey chooses to retire after one last job to pay for his unintended victim's sight-restoring operation. But when Jeffrey is double-crossed, he reluctantly joins forces with a rogue policeman to make things right.

## Cast

Chow Yun-fat, Danny Lee Sau-Yin, Sally Yip Sin-Man, Paul Chu Kong, Kenneth Tsang, Shing Fui-On, Tommy Wong, James Ha Chim-Si, Ricky Wong Chun-Tong, Barry Wong Ping-Yiu

## Accolades

Premiered at HKIFF 1989.

## Common questions

**Is The Killer worth watching?**
The Killer holds a 86% Celluloid Score. Woo and Chow’s assassin melodrama is a pinnacle of Hong Kong action — balletic gunfights with genuine tragic weight.

**What is The Killer about?**
Mob assassin Jeffrey is no ordinary hired gun; the best in his business, he views his chosen profession as a calling rather than simply a job. So, when beautiful nightclub chanteuse Jennie is blinded in the crossfire of his most recent hit, Jeffrey chooses to retire after one last job to pay for his unintended victim's sight-restoring operation. But when Jeffrey is double-crossed, he reluctantly joins forces with a rogue policeman to make things right.

**Who directed The Killer?**
The Killer (1989) was directed by John Woo.

**What is the Celluloid Score of The Killer?**
86% — the average of five public sources: critics 96%, audience 93%, Metascore 82/100, Letterboxd 4.1/5, and IMDb 7.8/10.

**Where can I watch The Killer?**
Streaming availability varies by region — see the The Killer page for current options.

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Reviewed and scored by Celluloid · Editor: Kaiser Khan (https://celluloidscore.com/author/kaiser-khan/)

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