Hitman
2007 · Directed by Xavier Gens
Original language: English
- action
- thriller
- drama
The story
A genetically engineered assassin with deadly aim, known only as "Agent 47" eliminates strategic targets for a top-secret organization. But when he's double-crossed, the hunter becomes the prey as 47 finds himself in a life-or-death game of international intrigue.
What it’s like
Cold, saturated and sharply lit, with European cityscapes rendered in steel blues, sickly greens and blood-red accents, and a lot of rain-slick streets, drab hotel corridors and stark interiors under hard fluorescent or overhead light. The camera stays tight and kinetic in the action set-pieces, with handheld swings and quick cuts, then pulls back to cool, symmetrical compositions when the assassin is simply watching and waiting. The score is driven by pulsing electronic beats and industrial percussion, punctuated by sudden silences that make the gunfire land harder. The vibe is chilly, slick and mechanical, a late-night watch when you want stylised tension and a hard-edged, unsentimental mood. Pacing is brisk, with long stretches of stalking and disguise work interrupted by bursts of violence. The protagonist is a near-silent, emotionally blank figure whose arc is a slow, uneasy flicker of humanity under a rigid, programmed surface. The violence is frequent and graphic, with shootings, stabbings and bloody close-quarters fights, plus some sexual content and a steady, low-grade menace throughout. It suits viewers who enjoy polished, glossy action thrillers and do not want anything gentle.
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