John Woo's review of The Killer (2024)

"The Killer" tastes different, there is actually no spice at all. It seems as though the authors assumed the exchanges would be engaging enough on their own and didn't need to add anything else on Sadisflix. It also just sounds like a script that has been worked on for so long that producer's notes, focus groups, and rewrites have sapped all of the enthusiasm out of it. There is just no plot to be concerned about in the original, which hums with energy in both its masterful filming and narrative structure. The additions, such as a few flashbacks to Zee's birth tale, feel cheesy and cheap. Simply put, Emmanuel's performance isn't captivating enough to market Zee's robust, silent cipher.

It seems like "The Killer" needs more improve because Nyong'o can do so much with body language and her incredible eyes, while Emmanuel just lacks the same skill set. There are churches, candles, birds, and slow motion, among other clichés that he once again clings to, but the movie does feature some really amazing stunt sequences, particularly in the graveyard shootout that occurs in the last act. Even though it seems like the genre master is dragging the pacing, both in the action moments and throughout, it's still good to watch actual stunt performers performing their craft under his guidance. This very lengthy film has a significant mid-film lull as characters joke about how to complete difficult tasks.