It’s quickly become a most watched film on Netflix (Image: Universal)
The action-packed remake appears destined to become Netflix’s most-watched film.
Viewers cannot stop watching the action thriller, which some have hailed as ‘absolutely perfect’ despite its less-than-glowing critical reception.
It was only added to the platform a few days ago, yet has rapidly climbed towards the top of the streamer’s charts.
At the time of writing, The Killer currently sits at number 2 in the most-watched films among Netflix UK subscribers, pipped only by the recently released creature feature Thrash, which holds the top spot.
According to its synopsis, The Killer comes from acclaimed action director John Woo, whose previous credits include Face/Off, Mission: Impossible 2, and Hard Boiled.
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It is in fact an English language remake of his own film of the same name, originally set in Hong Kong and released in 1989.
In this updated version, Game of Thrones star Nathalie Emmanuel portrays Zee, a mysterious and notorious assassin feared throughout the Parisian underworld as the Queen of the Dead.
However, while carrying out an assignment for her shadowy mentor and handler, Zee refuses to kill a blinded young woman in a nightclub, reports the Mirror.
That fateful choice shatters Zee’s alliances, attracts the attention of a sharp police investigator played by Omar Sy, and draws her into a dark criminal conspiracy that puts her on a direct collision course with her own past.
While the original went on to inspire acclaimed directors such as Quentin Tarantino and is regarded by many as one of the greatest action films ever made, the remake failed to make the same impression. It managed only a score of 59% on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.
The film is a remake of a John Woo classic (Image: Universal)
Critical opinion was largely divided over the film’s qualities. Some labelled it a disappointment, while others argued it still retained several of Woo’s signature touches. One critic claimed: “No, this isn’t going to end up being an action classic like its predecessor, but it does offer a lot for those willing to give it a chance.”
Yet another remarked, “Cheap, sluggish, and often tedious.” Despite this, Netflix audiences have been tuning in to watch it in considerable numbers.
There are, however, plenty of viewers who wholeheartedly endorse it and encourage others to judge for themselves. One such viewer posted: “I can’t stress this enough IGNORE the other reviews. This movie was thoroughly enjoyable. Firstly great acting and chemistry between the leads. Secondly, thank you, John Woo, for finally giving us a good action movie with great fight scenes and actual real stunts.”
Another echoed a similar sentiment: “Enjoyed it from the start! Be your own judge on this one because the bad reviews from the so call critics is RIDICULOUS!”
One enthusiastic viewer declared, “Finally, a John Woo film like the old days! Stylish, bloody, and pigeons in slow motion! What more could you want? Absolutely perfect!” Some observers have pointed out that viewers ought not to confuse the film with another Netflix original of the same name.
That title was released the year prior, in 2023, and was directed by David Fincher. It too centred on a hitman, was adapted from a French graphic novel series, and holds a considerably stronger Rotten Tomatoes score than Woo’s remake.
The Killer is streaming on Netflix.
