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Trailer

The Assassin

2015Movie1 h 45 minNR

70
GoodGoodWatch score
IMDb6.3Metacritic826.3Rotten Tomatoes80%48%

A slow-burning, melancholic action movie about history and politics, with standout cinematography and direction.

Good for date night · friends night · thought-provoking

Skip it if you want fast pacing · you want to half-watch while scrolling

Where to watch

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Not for warmth, laughs or comfort.

Movies with

Story

9th century China. Ten year old general’s daughter Nie Yinniang is abducted by a nun who initiates her into the martial arts, transforming her into an exceptional assassin charged with eliminating cruel and corrupt local governors. One day, having failed in a task, she is sent back by her mistress to the land of her birth, with orders to kill the man to whom she was promised – a cousin who now leads the largest military region in North China. After 13 years of exile, the young woman must confront her parents, her memories and her long-repressed feelings.

Feels like

  • Slow-Burn Assassin Drama
  • Wuxia
  • Historical China
  • Visually Stunning
  • Political Intrigue
  • Brooding & Atmospheric
  • Martial Arts
  • Complex Characters
  • Philosophical

Cast

24 of 24

Crew

Directed by
Hou Hsiao-hsien
Written by
Zhong A-Cheng, Hou Hsiao-hsien, Chu Tien-Wen
Produced by
Peter Lam Kin-Ngok, Stephen Lam Bing-Kwan, Song Dai
Music by
Lim Giong

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

August 27, 2015 · 1 h 45 min · NR

Released
August 27, 2015
Runtime
1 h 45 min
Age rating
NR
Content
Violence
Genres
Action, Adventure, History
Original language
Chinese
Made in
Hong Kong SAR China, Taiwan, China, France
Budget
$15 million
Box office
$12 million
Available in
36 countries

Tropes

Action Girl, Big Damn Heroes, Buried Alive +9

  • Action Girl
  • Big Damn Heroes
  • Buried Alive
  • Deliberately Monochrome
  • Evil Mentor
  • Evil Sorcerer
  • The Film of the Book
  • Rooftop Confrontation
  • Professional Killer
  • Heroes Fight Barehanded
  • Historical Domain Character
  • Protected by a Child

12 of 17 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

5 questions, like "Where can I stream The Assassin?"

Questions about The Assassin

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Assassin?

PrimePhiloThe RokuKanopyMUBIFandorAsianCrushHi-YAH

In the United States, The Assassin streams on Prime, Philo, MUBI, Fandor, and Hi-YAH, and it is free with ads on The Roku, Kanopy, AsianCrush, Fawesome, and Tubi TV. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 28 other countries.

Is The Assassin worth watching?

70
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 70 (IMDb 6.3, Rotten Tomatoes 80%, and Metacritic 82). Critics rate it higher (81 out of 100) than audiences (58).

Can I half-watch The Assassin?

Easy watchDemanding

No, it needs your attention: the title analysis rates it 8 of 10 for complexity and 8 for ambiguity.

Was The Assassin a box office flop?

Budget$15 million
Box office$12 million

Yes: it cost about $15 million to make and earned $12 million worldwide, 80% of its budget.

Is The Assassin in English?

Chinese

No, it was made in Chinese.