Assassins (1995) – Killers, Codes, and the Price of Exit

Assassins (1995) – Killers, Codes, and the Price of Exit

Directed by Richard Donner and written by the Wachowskis (The Matrix), Assassins (1995) is a tense, stylish action-thriller that pits two professional killers against each other in a deadly race toward control, redemption, and survival.

Sylvester Stallone stars as Robert Rath, a weary, world-class hitman haunted by his past and ready to retire. He wants out of the life he has mastered — but there’s one final assignment before he can disappear. The problem? Someone else is already trying to beat him to the kill: Miguel Bain, a ruthless, hyperactive young assassin played with manic brilliance by Antonio Banderas.

Bain isn’t just a rival. He’s obsessed with surpassing Rath, seeing him as both idol and enemy. Their deadly rivalry escalates through a series of fast-paced encounters across cities and continents — filled with double-crosses, sniper duels, and explosive set pieces.

Caught between them is Electra (Julianne Moore), a skilled hacker who possesses sensitive information both killers want. As Rath becomes emotionally entangled with her, he begins to question his own code, triggering a personal conflict that goes beyond survival.

Assassins explores familiar genre themes — loyalty, honor among thieves, and the question of whether someone built to kill can ever truly walk away. While the film leans on traditional '90s action formulas, it’s elevated by the intense performances of its leads, particularly Banderas, whose unpredictable energy steals every scene.

Though not a critical favorite upon release, the film has gained cult status for its moody atmosphere, deliberate pacing, and psychological tension. It’s less about body count, more about the cold precision of men who live and die by the trigger — and what happens when one of them wants to stop pulling it.