Ronin

An anonymous briefcase passes through a shadowy network of thieves and buyers, its contents never revealed. Two powerful factions, an Irish militant cell and the Russian mafia, hunt it for very different reasons, turning the chase into a volatile mirage of loyalties and betrayals. An Irish fixer pulls together a tight unit of mercenaries, calling themselves ronin after the masterless samurai, and tasks them with retrieving the package before it vanishes again. What follows is a high tension odyssey through slick urban nights and smoky rooms, where every handoff or lead leads to another crossfire. As the clock counts down, the value of the case eclipses the people chasing it.

Directed by John Frankenheimer and written for the screen by David Mamet and J D Zeik, Ronin marks a rare late career action entry from Frankenheimer. It pairs muscle with Mamet's lean, sharp dialogue and tight plotting.

Ronin is remembered for its car chases and grounded gunplay, shot with a brisk, documentary feel that influenced later thrillers. The film helped cement the idea of mercenary squads as modern anti heroes and reinforced the term ronin in pop culture.

Critics praised the brisk pace, the rugged ensemble, and the way the plot keeps viewers on their toes, even as some found the story and geography hard to track. The movie probes loyalty and identity in a world where money often outruns morality.