Ninja Assassin
Ninja Assassin is a 2009 American martial arts action thriller film directed by James McTeigue in his second feature after V for Vendetta.[1] The story centers on Raizo (played by South Korean singer Rain, in his Hollywood debut), a skilled ninja assassin raised from childhood in the secretive Ozunu Clan, who defects after witnessing the brutal murder of his friend and embarks on a path of vengeance against the clan led by his former master Lord Ozunu (Sho Kosugi).[2] While on the run, Raizo allies with Europol agent Mika Coretti (Naomie Harris), who is investigating the clan's involvement in funding global criminal networks through assassinations, leading to intense confrontations involving graphic swordplay and ninjutsu techniques.[1] The film, written by Matthew Sand and J. Michael Straczynski, emphasizes hyper-stylized violence and wire-fu choreography, drawing comparisons to the visual flair of The Matrix.[3] Produced by the Wachowski siblings (Lana and Lilly, known for The Matrix trilogy) alongside Joel Silver under Legendary Pictures, Dark Castle Entertainment, and Anarchos Pictures, Ninja Assassin was filmed primarily in Berlin, Germany, with a budget of approximately $40 million, partly funded by German federal subsidies.[4] It premiered on November 25, 2009, in the United States, running 99 minutes and rated R for strong bloody violence.[5] The supporting cast includes Rick Yune as the ruthless Takeshi, Ben Miles as Europol agent Ryan Maslow, and Kelly Hu as Moon, with fight choreography by Chad Stahelski to blend authentic martial arts with digital effects for over-the-top action sequences.[6] Upon release, Ninja Assassin received mixed to negative reviews from critics, who praised the visceral action and Rain's physical performance but criticized the thin plot and excessive gore, earning a 25% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 115 reviews.[2] Commercially, it grossed $38.1 million domestically and $24.1 million internationally, totaling $62.2 million worldwide, performing modestly against expectations for a Warner Bros. release.[7] The film has since gained a cult following for its unapologetic embrace of ninja tropes and has been noted for influencing later action cinema with its blend of Eastern martial arts and Western blockbuster aesthetics.[8]Synopsis
Plot
Raizo is orphaned as a child and taken in by the Ozunu Clan, a secretive group of ninjas who train young recruits through brutal methods to become elite assassins for hire by powerful clients worldwide.[9] Under the leadership of Lord Ozunu, the clan's leader, Raizo endures rigorous and often torturous training, including physical combat, stealth techniques, and the use of weapons like shuriken (ninja stars) as well as ninjutsu that allows ninjas to blend into shadows.[9] As an adult, Raizo rises as one of the clan's most skilled killers, executing high-profile assassinations with precision. However, his loyalty wavers when he develops a romantic relationship with fellow clan member Kiriko, who shares his growing doubts about the clan's ruthless path. Kiriko attempts to flee one night and urges Raizo to join her, but he stays; she is captured and executed by Takeshi as punishment. Raizo later recalls her brutal killing while on a mission, attacks Lord Ozunu, fights other ninjas, and escapes, vowing revenge while beginning a solitary campaign to dismantle the Ozunu by targeting individual members. To symbolize his break from the clan, Raizo painfully removes the Ozunu tattoo from his body, a mark that identifies all members.[9] Meanwhile, in Europe, Europol agent Mika Coretti investigates a series of mysterious murders linked to ancient Japanese weapons, uncovering evidence that the Ozunu Clan is selling their assassination services to corrupt politicians and criminals, with financial ledgers documenting their operations. An Ozunu attack on the Europol office kills several agents, but Mika escapes and meets Raizo, who has been watching her. She convinces him to seek protection from her superior, Ryan Maslow; Raizo is arrested and taken to a Berlin safehouse. Ozunu ninjas assault the safehouse, and Mika frees Raizo, allowing them to escape together, though he sustains injuries.[9] Forming an uneasy alliance, Raizo and Mika share backstories—Mika revealing her determination to expose the clan, and Raizo grappling with his internal conflict over his violent past and desire for redemption. Mika hides Raizo and secretly implants a tracker in him to follow the Ozunu. The ninjas track them down and kidnap Raizo. With the ledgers confirming the clan's operations, Raizo had earlier revealed the location of their hidden stronghold in rural Japan. Mika alerts Europol, who use the tracker to locate the compound.[9] Raizo, confronting his lingering ties to the clan, leads an assault on the compound with Europol agents using flares to counter the ninjas' shadow-blending abilities, battling waves of ninjas using traditional blades in a series of visceral combat scenes. The climax unfolds in a one-on-one duel with Lord Ozunu, where Raizo overcomes his former mentor's superior experience through sheer resolve, ultimately defeating him and setting the compound ablaze to eradicate the clan. In the resolution, Raizo spares a young orphan boy from the clan's recruitment, breaking the cycle of violence, while Mika, stabbed during the assault but surviving due to her dextrocardia, continues her work exposing such organizations.[9]Cast
Ninja Assassin stars South Korean entertainer Rain (born Jung Ji-hoon) in his Hollywood lead role as Raizo, a highly skilled ninja who rebels against his training clan after witnessing the murder of a fellow trainee.[10] Rain, known for his background in taekwondo and extensive stunt training for the film, performed many of his own action sequences.[11] Naomie Harris portrays Mika Coretti, a determined Europol agent who uncovers evidence of the clan's operations and becomes Raizo's ally.[12] Rick Yune plays Takeshi, Raizo's ruthless rival and a loyal enforcer for the Ozunu clan, serving as the primary antagonist.[13] The film also features Sung Kang as Hollywood, a flamboyant American member of the Ozunu clan who assists in tracking defectors.[14] Japanese martial artist Sho Kosugi, renowned for his roles in 1980s ninja films such as Enter the Ninja and Revenge of the Ninja, returns to the genre as Lord Ozunu, the tyrannical leader of the assassin clan.[15] Ben Miles appears as Maslow, Mika's skeptical Europol superior who initially doubts the clan's existence.[13] Supporting roles include Lee Joon as the teenage Raizo, highlighting the character's early indoctrination into the clan, and Randall Duk Kim as the Tattoo Master, who oversees the ritualistic marking of new assassins.[13] Other notable performers are Anna Sawai as teenage Kiriko, a fellow trainee and Raizo's ill-fated love interest, and David Leitch, a stunt coordinator doubling as the Europol door guard.[6]| Actor | Role | Character Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Rain (Jung Ji-hoon) | Raizo | Protagonist and defector ninja seeking revenge against his former clan. |
| Naomie Harris | Mika Coretti | Europol agent investigating mysterious deaths linked to the Ozunu clan. |
| Rick Yune | Takeshi | Antagonistic ninja and Raizo's adoptive brother, enforcing clan loyalty. |
| Sung Kang | Hollywood | Eccentric clan member specializing in modern weaponry and pursuits. |
| Sho Kosugi | Lord Ozunu | Ruthless mastermind behind the Ozunu clan's assassin training program. |
| Ben Miles | Maslow | Europol official overseeing Mika's inquiry into the clan's activities. |
| Lee Joon | Teenage Raizo | Younger version of the protagonist during his brutal clan initiation. |
| Anna Sawai | Teenage Kiriko | Raizo's childhood companion and symbol of the clan's sacrificial brutality. |