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The Assassin

The Assassin

Action · Adventure · History · 2015

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.

Movie details

The Assassin

2015 Action · Adventure · History 1h 45m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.4 / 10

Community rating

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.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over The Assassin?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Hou Hsiao-hsien

Written by

Chu Tien-Wen · Hou Hsiao-hsien · Hsieh Hai-Meng · Zhong A-Cheng

Shu Qi

Shu Qi

Nie Yinniang

Chang Chen

Chang Chen

Tian Ji'an

Zhou Yun

Zhou Yun

Lady Tian Yuan / Jingjinger

Satoshi Tsumabuki

Satoshi Tsumabuki

Mirror Polisher

Ni Dahong

Ni Dahong

Nie Feng

Yong Mei

Yong Mei

Lady Nie Tian

Lei Zhenyu

Lei Zhenyu

Tian Xing

Court is in session

Put The Assassin on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Adrenaline Seeker

“Momentum is a formal choice.”

The velocity sharpens instinct and tension, making every beat land before self-importance can settle in.

The prosecution The Cool Ironist

“Speed as an alibi.”

The film races past its weak spots and hopes acceleration will keep the audience from inspecting the evidence.