American Assassin: Decoding the Success of This Blockbuster Hit of 2017

“American Assassin” is an action film that delves into the world of espionage, revenge, and the training of a CIA black-ops counterterrorism agent. The movie features intense action sequences, graphic violence, and a focus on the protagonist’s quest for vengeance. It has been described as a thriller with a sleek, hard, and bloody sheen, and it explores themes of mentors and pupils within the context of the CIA’s operations.

The film received mixed reviews, with some critics praising its action and performances, while others criticized its lack of originality and formulaic plot. The movie contains graphic violence, strong language, and some sexual content, making it more suitable for adult audiences.

American Assassin Review

American Assassin: A Review of Thriller and Transformation

American Assassin, released in 2017, is a fast-paced action thriller based on the Vince Flynn novel of the same name. It plunges viewers into the world of covert operations and dark conspiracies, leaving a lasting impression through its intense action sequences and exploration of character growth.

Strengths:

Thrilling action: The film delivers adrenaline-pumping action sequences, choreographed with impressive precision and brutality. From close-quarter combat to high-stakes chases, the action keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.
Solid performances: Dylan O’Brien delivers a compelling performance as Mitch Rapp, effectively portraying his transformation from grief-stricken civilian to hardened operative. Michael Keaton adds gravitas as Stan Hurley, the weathered mentor who guides Mitch on his journey.
Exploration of themes: While action takes center stage, the film touches on deeper themes like the cycle of violence, revenge versus justice, and the psychological impact of trauma. These themes add weight to the narrative and allow viewers to connect with the characters on a deeper level.

Weaknesses:

Plot predictability: The story follows a somewhat predictable structure, common in action movies, with familiar tropes like hidden agendas and double-crosses. This may leave some viewers wanting more originality.
Characterization depth: While the main characters are well-acted, their development could be deeper. Supporting characters, particularly the villains, feel somewhat archetypal, lacking the nuance and complexity of the protagonists.

Overall:

American Assassin is a thrilling and engaging film that delivers what it promises: action, suspense, and a character arc fueled by vengeance and transformation. While not without its flaws, the film’s strengths lie in its action sequences, solid performances, and exploration of thematic depth. It’s a good choice for fans of action thrillers looking for an entertaining and thought-provoking experience.

Final verdict: 3.5 out of 5 stars

American Assassin Rotten Tomatoes

On Rotten Tomatoes, American Assassin has a 34% approval rating based on 181 reviews. The average rating is 4.7 out of 10.

Here’s a breakdown of the scores:

Fresh: 62 reviews (34%)
Rotten: 119 reviews (66%)

American Assassin IMDB

On IMDb, American Assassin has a rating of 6.2 out of 10 based on over 83,000 user ratings.

Movies Like American Assassin

Sure, here are some movies like American Assassin that you might enjoy:

Sicario (2015): An idealistic FBI agent is enlisted by a government task force to aid in the escalating war against drugs on the US-Mexico border. Emily Blunt stars alongside Josh Brolin and Benicio del Toro in this intense and suspenseful thriller.
John Wick (2014): An ex-hitman comes out of retirement to seek revenge after his dog is killed and his house is invaded. Keanu Reeves delivers a powerful performance in this action-packed film with stunning fight choreography.
The Bourne Identity (2002): A man with amnesia wakes up on a fishing boat with no memory of his past and deadly skills that he doesn’t understand. Matt Damon stars in this action-packed spy thriller based on the Robert Ludlum novel of the same name.
Zero Dark Thirty (2012): A ten-year manhunt for Osama bin Laden culminates in a daring raid by Navy SEALs. Jessica Chastain stars in this Kathryn Bigelow-directed film that follows the CIA’s efforts to track down the al-Qaeda leader.
Haywire (2011): A former black ops agent turns the tables on her deadly employers when they double-cross her. Gina Carano stars in this action-packed thriller directed by Steven Soderbergh.
Atomic Blonde (2017): An undercover MI6 agent is sent to Berlin shortly after the fall of the wall to retrieve a stolen list of double agents. Charlize Theron stars in this stylish and action-packed Cold War thriller.
Extraction (2020): A black market mercenary who specializes in rescuing kidnapped people embarks on a dangerous mission to retrieve a crime lord’s son who’s been taken hostage. Chris Hemsworth stars in this action-packed thriller directed by Sam Hargrave. poster
The Raid 2 (2014): An elite Indonesian cop goes undercover in a Jakarta criminal syndicate to bring down the mob from within. This sequel to the critically acclaimed The Raid is even more action-packed and brutal than the original.
The Killing Machine (2011): A former Special Forces soldier becomes a bodyguard for a young woman who is the target of a hit. Jason Statham stars in this action-packed revenge thriller.

American Assassin Cast

Here is the main cast of American Assassin:

Dylan O’Brien as Mitch Rapp: A young CIA black ops recruit seeking revenge after his girlfriend is killed in a terrorist attack.
Michael Keaton as Stan Hurley: A cold-war veteran and CIA instructor who mentors Mitch Rapp.
Sanaa Lathan as Deputy Director Irene Kennedy: A high-ranking CIA official who oversees the American Assassin program.
Taylor Kitsch as Ghost: A rogue CIA operative who becomes Mitch Rapp’s enemy.
Shiva Negar as Annika: A mysterious woman with ties to the terrorist plot.
Charlotte Vega as Katrina Harper: Mitch Rapp’s love interest.

Here are some other notable cast members:

David Suchet as CIA Director Stansfield
Navid Negahban as Minister Behruz
Scott Adkins as Victor
Alaa Safi as Javeed
Khalid Laith as Sharif
Mohammad Bakri as Ashani

Where to watch American Assassin?

“American Assassin” is available for streaming on Netflix, fuboTV, and VIX. It can also be rented or purchased on various platforms such as Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Vudu, and Microsoft Store. Additionally, the movie is accessible for free with ads on VIX.

Is American Assassin hit or flop?

The 2017 film “American Assassin” received mixed reviews and had a moderate performance at the box office. It has an approval rating of 34% based on 181 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average rating of 4.7/10.

While some viewers appreciated the action and fight sequences, as well as the performances of the lead actors, the film was also criticized for its lack of originality and formulaic plot. Therefore, it can be considered a moderate success, but not a major hit.

Box Office:

Budget: $33 million
Worldwide Gross: $67 million
Verdict: While it turned a profit, the gross barely doubled its budget, suggesting a lukewarm performance compared to expectations.

Critical Reception:

Rotten Tomatoes: 34% approval rating (average score: 4.7/10)
Metacritic: 45/100 (weighted average score)
Verdict: Reviews were largely negative, criticizing the predictable plot, underdeveloped characters, and stereotypical portrayal of French culture.

Audience Reception:

CinemaScore: B+ (average grade)
ComScore: 67% overall positive, 43% “definite recommend”
Verdict: Audiences generally enjoyed the action sequences and performances but found the story lacking depth.

Is American Assassin worth watching?

Whether or not “American Assassin” is worth watching for you depends entirely on your personal preferences and expectations. To decide the worth of movie some pros and cons are given below:

Pros:

Thrilling action: The film delivers adrenaline-pumping action sequences with impressive choreography and brutality. If you enjoy action movies with high stakes and exciting stunts, you’ll likely find yourself entertained.
Solid performances: Dylan O’Brien and Michael Keaton deliver solid performances as the main characters, making them somewhat complex and engaging.
Exploration of themes: While the focus is on action, the film touches on themes like revenge, justice, and trauma, adding some depth to the narrative.

Cons:

Predictable plot: The story follows a familiar structure with common action movie tropes, lacking originality for some viewers.
Limited character development: While the main characters are well-acted, their development could be deeper, and supporting characters often feel stereotypical.
Mixed critical reception: The film received mixed reviews, with many critiquing the unoriginal plot and portrayal of French culture.

Ultimately, the decision is yours:

If you’re looking for a purely entertaining action movie with good performances and impressive action sequences, you might enjoy “American Assassin.”
However, if you prefer deeper stories, complex characters, and originality, you might find it lacking.

Here are some additional factors to consider:

Your tolerance for violence: The film features graphic violence, which may not be suitable for all viewers.
Your expectations: If you’re expecting a masterpiece, you might be disappointed. However, if you go in with an open mind and enjoy action movies, you might have a good time.

Does American Assassin have romance?

“American Assassin” is primarily an action thriller with a focus on espionage, revenge, and intense action sequences. While the movie involves a romantic relationship, it is not a central theme. The film includes some romantic elements, such as a marriage proposal and a kiss, but the primary focus is on the action, espionage, and the protagonist’s quest for revenge.

The movie is described as having a sleek, hard, and bloody sheen, with a significant emphasis on action, violence, and intense fight sequences. Therefore, while romance is present in the film, it is not the primary focus.