One Shot. One Mistake

The Killer (2024), directed by John Woo, is a bold reimagining of his own 1989 Hong Kong classic, transposing the iconic tale of honor, betrayal, and redemption to the neon-soaked underworld of Paris. With a star-studded cast including Nathalie Emmanuel, Omar Sy, and Sam Worthington, this Peacock-exclusive film attempts to blend Woo’s signature action bravura with modern sensibilities—but struggles to escape the shadow of its predecessor .

📖 Plot Overview: A Killer with a Conscience

The film follows Zee (Nathalie Emmanuel), a legendary assassin known as the “Queen of the Dead” in Paris’s criminal circles. During a nightclub hit ordered by her handler Finn (Sam Worthington), Zee accidentally blinds Jenn (Diana Silvers), a young singer caught in the crossfire. Defying orders to eliminate the witness, Zee becomes a target herself, pursued by Finn’s mercenaries and Sey (Omar Sy), a tenacious police inspector. As alliances fracture and past secrets unravel, Zee must confront her mentor and a web of corruption involving a stolen heroin shipment and a vengeful Saudi prince .

The narrative retains the core premise of the original—a killer’s moral crisis—but introduces gender-swapped leads and a Euro-thriller conspiracy twist. Notably, the dynamic between Zee and Sey evolves from adversarial to collaborative, echoing the original’s themes of unlikely kinship .

🌟 Highlights: What Works

Woo’s Action Choreography
Despite his age, Woo delivers meticulously staged set pieces: a sword fight in a nightclub, a motorcycle chase through cemeteries, and a climactic church shootout featuring dual-wielding pistols and slow-motion leaps. Practical effects and real squibs lend visceral weight, though CGI occasionally intrudes .
Omar Sy’s Charisma
As Inspector Sey, Sy blends wit and physicality, stealing scenes with a performance that balances moral ambiguity and charm .
Visual Style
Cinematographer Mauro Fiore paints Paris in glossy, atmospheric tones, with iconic landmarks framing dramatic moments. Zee’s disguises and tailored wardrobe (by Camille Janbon) pay homage to Le Samouraï .
Thematic Nods
Woo revisits his trademarks: white doves, cathedral settings, and the conflict between duty and humanity. The bond between Zee and her tailor (Tchéky Karyo) echoes the original’s emphasis on loyalty .

💡 Behind the Scenes: A 30-Year Development Hell

The remake was initially conceived in 1992 for Richard Gere and Denzel Washington, with Walter Hill attached to direct. Delays, script rewrites, and casting shifts (Lupita Nyong’o was once slated to star) plagued production until Woo reclaimed control .
Woo’s daughter, Angeles Woo, plays assassin Chi Mai, continuing the director’s tradition of family collaborations .
The film’s action was choreographed by Brett Smrz (6 Underground), blending Wick-inspired close combat with classic Woo flourishes .

🎭 Critical Reception: Mixed but Not Merciless

Rotten Tomatoes: 59% (5.8/10), praising action sequences but critiquing narrative inertia .
Audience Response: Divisive; fans applaud the return of Woo’s style, while others deem it “unnecessary” .
Legacy: As the original becomes harder to access (out of print on physical media), this version risks overshadowing its predecessor despite inferior storytelling .

✅ Side Note: For Fans Only

The Killer (2024) is a competently crafted action film that honors Woo’s legacy in style but falters in soul. It offers fleeting thrills—motorcycle graveyard chases, elegant gun fu—but lacks the emotional resonance that made the original a classic. Watch it for the action, temper expectations for the story.