Synopsis
Raizos world shatters when Kiriko, a close friend and fellow pupil, is killed for attempting to flee. Her brutal murder ignites the spark of conscience in him, and he dares to escape, earning the clans mark as the most hunted traitor. Now he moves like smoke through city alleys, quietly gathering his strength and plotting bloody retribution.
At the same time, Mika Coretti, a forensic analyst with Europol, spots a hidden thread linking high-level political hits and traces it back to the Ozunu hierarchy. Ignoring her supervisors alarms, she presses on, only to become a target herself. Raizo intercepts the attack, and together the reluctant partners launch a high-stakes campaign to expose the order and dismantle its web of violence.
The story hurtles forward through a string of bloody skirmishes, ambushes, and narrow getaways. Raizo confronts brothers from the old clan, clashes with the hot-headed Takeshi, then storms the Ozunu citadel for a decisive duel. Inside the fortress he battles Lord Ozunu, defeats him, and severs the clan at its rotten core.
With revenge earned, Raizo steps back onto the same rooftop where Kiriko once whispered of a freer life, and in that small act his freedom feels real.
CAST & CREW
Rain (Jeong Ji-hoon) as Raizo – a quiet, lethal killer carrying wounds only he can see.
Naomie Harris as Mika Coretti – the fearless Europol officer who stands by Raizo and uncovers the clans secrets.
Sho Kosugi as Lord Ozunu – an icy, authoritative ninja lord steeped in generations of blood-soaked custom.
Rick Yune as Takeshi – Raizos relentless foe, torn between brotherhood and duty.
Ben Miles as Agent Maslow – Mikas doubtful supervisor at Europol, torn between protocol and truth.
Directed by James McTeigue
Produced by Joel Silver, Grant Hill, Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski
Screenplay by Matthew Sand, J. Michael Straczynski
Cinematography by Karl Walter Lindenlaub
Music by Ilan Eshkeri
Production companies Dark Castle Entertainment, Legendary Pictures, Silver Pictures
Distributor Warner Bros. Pictures
Ninja Assassin was shot almost entirely in Berlin, Germany, with generous backing from local film funds. Blending age-old ninja legends with present-day spectacle, the crew set out to breathe new life into a fading genre. McTeigue, fresh off V for Vendetta, wanted to make the mythic warriors feel relevant to modern viewers.
The movie draws from both Asian martial-arts classics and Hollywood blockbusters. Fight scenes move at a blurring clip, and the violence is unflinching, thanks to a blend of practical gags and digital touch-ups. Shadows loom, slow motion stretches time, and occasional night-vision filters give the imagery a dreamlike, almost hallucinatory edge. Together, the soaked- in-blood color palette and eye-catching choreography push Ninja Assassin well beyond the look of standard kung-fu fare.
Choreography relies on fine wirework and quick cuts to keep viewers breathless. Star Rain trained rigorously in martial arts, and his willingness to tackle most stunts adds a welcome layer of physical truth to the spectacle.
⭐ Reception & Box Office
Ninja Assassin hit North American theaters on November 25, 2009. Reviewers were largely split or openly negative; they pointed to a flimsy story, excess bloodshed, and thinly sketched cast. Still, die-hard action viewers and genre buffs applauded the nonstop pace, tight choreography, and unrestrained gore the movie delivered.
Despite the lukewarm press, the picture gained a devoted following among martial-arts fans and lovers of stylized fight cinema. Financially it underperformed, collecting roughly $61.6 million around the globe on a production outlay close to $30 million.
Casual moviegoers proved kinder than critics, relishing what they viewed as a welcome revival of big-screen ninja drama. The film sealed a CinemaScore rating of B, signaling overall approval from the crowd.
🧠 Themes & Analysis
- Redemption Through Vengeance
Raizos arc is, at heart, one of reclaiming lost humanity. Raised to kill, he begins to rediscover himself the moment Kiriko dies, and her murder pushes him to topple the very order that forged him.
- Ninja Mythos Modernized
Old-school lore-secret clans, shadow art, age-old discipline-mingles with high-tech spying and all-seeing cameras. The Ozunu feel almost otherworldly, slipping between shadows like smoke and mending wounds as if time itself is paused.
- Authority and Rebellion
Raizos revolt is both personal and philosophical. Lord Ozunu stands for ruthless, unquestioning loyalty to legacy. Raizos stand against him rejects inherited cruelty and asserts his free will.
- Stylized Violence as Art
The films signature lies in its extravagant bloodshed and choreographed fights. Instead of gritty realism, blood arcs like ink and clashes play out like cruel ballet. This artifice turns each confrontation into a vivid, arresting showpiece.
- Quick Facts
Feature Detail
Release Date November 25, 2009
Runtime 99 minutes
Language English
Rating R (Strong Bloody Violence)
Budget ~30 million
Box Office ~61.6 million worldwide
Genre Action / Martial Arts / Thriller
Filming Location Berlin, Germany
Final Thoughts
Ninja Assassin is a fast-paced tribute that refreshes the ninja film with modern craft. Although its plot and characters lack depth, the viewing experience never stops dazzling. The movie speaks directly to devotees of stylized martial arts, over-the-top violence, and visceral spectacle.
Rain throws himself into the role without reservation, and McTeigue matches his energy with punchy visuals; the Wachowskis, serving as producers, add a polish that keeps the movie moving at breakneck speed. The story is hardly subtle, yet the filmmakers clearly know it and never pretend otherwise. What audiences get is a kinetic ride that blends gore and style with an unexpected undercurrent of sincerity.
Although the picture never spawned a franchise and earned little award-season love, it has since settled into cult status among genre devotees and still ranks as one of the most daring ninja outings of the past few decades.
If youd like, I can sketch a side-by-side reading that places it next to classic entries or trace Rains journey from K-pop idol to bruising leading man.
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