The world of movies has blessed us with many memorable characters. From the wise Dumbledore to the daring James Bond. Films have always been a steady source of self-righteous inspiration.
Though, life isn’t as black and white as it’s often depicted in films. Characters aren’t just good or bad, right or wrong. There’s a certain shade of gray within us all; a certain kindness and a certain darkness. Society often propagates this self-righteous narrative, diluting the quotient of reality from the equation. That being said, every once in a while, there comes a character that goes against this grain of self-righteousness. Someone not categorized as black or white from the onset; someone with a past, a trauma, an ache. It’s in this process of discovery that we understand why they do what they do and eventually end up falling in love with them. It’s through this understanding rather than judgment that these characters etch a place in our memory, despite their professional commitments placing them on the wrong side of the law.
Here’s a list of seven such characters who won us over, despite being professional assassins.
7 Agent 47 - Hitman (2007)
One simply cannot omit Agent 47, while discussing professional hitmen. Based on the game of the same name, Agent 47 is considered by many to be the most polished, sophisticated, and accurate hitman of all time. Hitman revolves around Agent 47 (Timothy Olyphant) entanglement with a foe of superior political strength. Outnumbered, outmaneuvered, but not outwitted, Hitman is a magnificent insight into the world of hitmen and political espionage. A must-watch for everyone who's enjoyed the game!
6 Wong Chin-Min - Fallen Angels (1995)
The stereotypical images associated with assassins are stealthy, calculated, and emotionally unavailable. Wong Kar Wai spins this norm on its head by creating an assassin who’s none of the above. Wong’s Wing Chin-min is loud, unafraid to take damage, and madly in love with his partner/handler. Fallen Angels is further elevated by DOP Christopher Doyle’s visuals and Roel A. Garcia’s soundtrack creating one of the most stylistic opening sequences in movie making history. With such stylistic oeuvre oozing from the opening scenes, it's hard not to fall in love with the silky smooth Wing Chin-min
5 Ray - In Bruges (2008)
Universal
In the film, In Bruges, Ray (Colin Farrell), plays the part of an assassin next door sent to Bruges to complete a hit. What makes Ray memorable as a character is that he’s someone you’d stand in a line with while getting donuts, without any inclination toward his profession. Martin Mcdonagh’s directorial debut refreshingly deals with this dark world of hitmen with a tinge of humor while also managing to humanize hitmen. If you’re in the mood for an action film with a soul, In Bruges should be on your list.
4 Anton Chigurgh - No Country For Old Men (2007)
If Ray, from In Bruges is considered PG-13, No Country For Old Men’s Anton Chigurh is rated R on a scale of violence and bloodshed. Javier Bardem’s portrayal of the deranged, bloodthirsty psychopath is often regarded as a case study into the mind of a serial killer. Helmed by the legendary duo, the Coen Brothers, No Country For Old Men is a twisted cat and mouse game between a hard-boiled cop and a sinister killer.
3 Beatrixx Kido - Kill Bill Vol 1 (2003)
Uma Thurman’s portrayal of Beatrixx Kiddo, is the prime example of the age-old adage; do not cross a man’s path who has nothing to lose. Having lost everything, including the baby in her womb in an attack by her ex-boss, Beatrixx sets out on a vengeful, bloodthirsty killing spree. Adapted from Lady Snowbird, Kill Bill is considered to be one of Quentin Tarantino’s most violent, gore-filled films. This meditation on violence and revenge earned Uma Thurman a golden globe nomination.
2 Leon - Leon The Professional (1994)
It’s hard not to fall in love with Leon, from Léon: The Professional. From the mind of French auteur Luc Besson, Leon The Professional tells the story of a hitman who takes a 12-year-old girl under his wing after the sudden demise of her family. The film beautifully highlights the bond between an alleged cold-hearted killer and this young naive girl. Marking Natalie Portman’s debut as a child actor, Luc Besson intricately balances the film with the right amount of emotions, successfully creating the portrait of a poet stuck in the profession of an assassin.
1 John Wick - John Wick (2014)
If there’s a big daddy of assassins, it’s got to be John Wick. John Wick is leaps and bounds ahead of the everyday assassin. He’s quiet, composed, and at first glance would seem completely harmless, but that’s until you kill his dog, especially the one that was given to him by his now-deceased wife. Pushed to the edge, John Wick takes on an entire crime syndicate, single-handedly leaving a trail full of blood and destruction. The film is considered a giant step forward in the revival of the action genre.
With top-notch action sequences and mind-blowing cinematography, it's no surprise that the film was commercially and critically well received, spawning three films in the franchise, with a fourth one on the way. With such an overwhelming response, it’s safe to say people can’t get enough of Keanu Reeves’s John With, and understandably why.