The read
A Balasaur Score of 71 out of 100, drawn from IMDb 6.3/10, Rotten Tomatoes 80%, Metacritic 82/100. Critics rate it 19 points higher than audiences do. Scores higher than 84% of the 2,640 2010s action movies in this catalog. Streaming on Prime and Tubi.
Synopsis
9th century China. Ten year old general’s daughter Nie Yinniang is abducted by a nun who initiates her into the martial arts, transforming her into an exceptional assassin charged with eliminating cruel and corrupt local governors. One day, having failed in a task, she is sent back by her mistress to the land of her birth, with orders to kill the man to whom she was promised – a cousin who now leads the largest military region in North China. After 13 years of exile, the young woman must confront her parents, her memories and her long-repressed feelings.
Ratings
Critics rate it 19 points higher than audiences do.
575 audience votes
Key crew
- Hou Hsiao-hsienDirector
- Chu Tien-WenScreenplay
- Hou Hsiao-hsienScreenplay
- Hsieh Hai-MengScreenplay
- Zhong A-ChengScreenplay
- Lim GiongOriginal Music Composer
Cast
- Shu QiNie Yinniang
- Chang ChenTian Ji'an
- Zhou YunLady Tian Yuan / Jingjinger
- Satoshi TsumabukiMirror Polisher
- Ni DahongNie Feng
- Yong MeiLady Nie Tian
- Lei ZhenyuTian Xing
- Nikki HsiehHuji
- Ethan JuanXia Jing
- Sheu Fang-YiPrincess Jiacheng / Taoist Nun
- Jacques PicouxKongkonger
- Mei FangNie Feng's Mother
Stills
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2025
Shares: Martial Arts · Action · Adventure
Themes
The Best Chinese Action Movies
The Assassin is #51 of 60
