Ninja Assassin

Taken from the streets as a child, Raizo is raised by the secretive Ozunu Clan and trained into one of the world's deadliest assassins. After the clan coldly executes his closest friend, Raizo slips away and vanishes from the life that made him. Years later he reappears, methodically sharpening his skills and setting the stage for violent confrontations with those who molded him. The film follows his quiet, single-minded campaign for retribution, focusing on stealthy strikes and brutal hand-to-hand combat rather than investigation or courtroom drama, and it keeps the central mystery and final outcomes under wraps.

Released in 2009, Ninja Assassin was directed by James McTeigue and based on a concept from Matthew Sand and J. Michael Straczynski, combining elements of traditional martial arts cinema with contemporary action filmmaking.

Critics were mixed, often praising the movie's fierce fight choreography and stylized violence while faulting its thin character development and plotting. Audiences gave it a 6.67/10 average from 1,691 votes, and viewers tend to respond to the visceral set pieces more than the narrative depth. Major themes include loyalty, identity, and the moral cost of a life built around killing.

The film made headlines for its overtly violent, kinetic action sequences and helped raise Rain's profile outside South Korea. Several set pieces and camera moves were highlighted in discussions of late 2000s action aesthetics, and the movie has retained attention among genre fans for its visual flair and choreography.

Ninja Assassin opened theatrically worldwide and found its core audience among action aficionados. While it did not break into the mainstream blockbuster tier, it maintained visibility through home video and streaming, where its reputation for bloody, stylish combat continues to attract viewers.