David Fincher’s The Killer is a psychological neo-noir thriller following a cold, meticulous assassin (Michael Fassbender) as he descends into a spiral of paranoia and vengeance. Adapted from Alexis Nolent’s French graphic novel, the film explores the killer’s obsessive discipline, his unwavering detachment, and the unraveling of his carefully controlled world when a botched job in Paris puts him on the defensive.

After the failed hit, the assassin finds himself hunted by unknown forces, forcing him to navigate a treacherous landscape of shifting allegiances and unseen enemies. His employers, once faceless and reliable, now see him as a liability. With a strict code of survival—“anticipate, don’t improvise”—he embarks on a relentless global pursuit, eliminating those who pose a threat while questioning his own moral decay. His journey takes him from the neon-lit streets of urban metropolises to secluded hideouts, where he faces off against a formidable rival (Tilda Swinton), a fellow assassin who may be his equal in both skill and ruthlessness.

In classic Fincher fashion, The Killer is a stylish, atmospheric deep dive into the mind of a predator who lives in the shadows, delivering sharp action, tension-fueled set pieces, and an icy lead performance by Fassbender. With its meticulous cinematography, pulsing score by Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, and a story that blurs the lines between hunter and hunted, the film is a gripping meditation on isolation, violence, and the cost of living a life in the crosshairs.