You are here:
Assassins

Assassins

2021

Director

Ryan White

Runtime

104 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

True crime meets global spy thriller in this gripping account of the assassination of Kim Jong-nam, the half brother of the North Korean leader. The film follows the trial of the two female assassins, probing the question: were the women trained killers or innocent pawns of North Korea?

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

7.1/10

Good


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Fair

The film focuses on geopolitical espionage and criminal law rather than queer narratives. It lacks explicit LGBTQ+ identities or intentional queer-coded subtext.

Gender Representation

Good

The narrative centers on female agency within a patriarchal geopolitical landscape. By focusing on the trial of two women, it challenges traditional hierarchies and elevates the female experience.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Good

The documentary provides visibility into East Asian geopolitics and non-Western political structures. It disrupts Anglo-centric traditions by focusing on North Korean state actors and specific national identities.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Excellent

The film critiques Western-centric views of justice through a framework of systemic analysis. It portrays state institutions as corrupt and explores individuals as victims of state-driven machinery.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There is no discernible evidence regarding the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities within the film's focus.

Strengths

  • Centers female agency within a male-dominated geopolitical landscape.
  • Provides significant visibility into non-Western political structures and East Asian geopolitics.
  • Critiques Western-centric notions of truth and justice through systemic analysis.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lacks intentionality regarding LGBTQ+ identities or queer-coded narratives.
  • Provides no discernible representation of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

AI Analysis

Assassins is a sophisticated investigative documentary that dismantles state-sanctioned narratives. It shifts the focus from traditional Western spy tropes toward a nuanced examination of how individuals are caught in the gears of global power. The film excels by centering female agency and East Asian political complexities. It moves beyond simple crime reporting to critique the systemic exploitation of marginalized people by authoritarian regimes. While the film lacks LGBTQ+ and disability representation, its strength lies in its deconstruction of institutional authority and its focus on the tension between state coercion and individual autonomy.

How are these scores produced? →

Similar Movies

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.