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The Assassin(s) poster

The Assassin(s)

Movie 2026 131 min Drama, Crime, Thriller, Action Last reviewed 23 Sep 2026
ClearAge 13+

What we flagged

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Violence
Moderate
Frightening
Moderate

Our take

Based on the 1974 shooting of South Korea's first lady, this long drama follows a detective and two reporters who keep digging when the official story does not add up. A public shooting, torture of officers and pressure on the press sit in the story. Fine with a parent from 13. Teens who find political thrillers slow may need the historical hook explained first.

Uplifting themes

Asking hard questions and recording the truth matter when power wants silence A detective and reporters keep digging even when it is dangerous A doorway into 1970s Korean politics and how newsrooms work under pressure

Story (may spoil tone)

In 1974, a shooting shocks South Korea. Detective Cheol-gu, who witnesses the attack, Jae-hwan, the city desk editor whose coverage is suppressed, and Young-il, a rookie reporter, begin to dig beneath the cover-up. As their pursuit of the truth deepens, they come to confront forces meant to remain unseen.

What we flagged

View all categories

Violence
Moderate
Frightening
Moderate

Details

Violence Moderate A public shooting opens the film. Officers are tortured, and people liv…

A public shooting opens the film. Officers are tortured, and people live under threat

Frightening Moderate Assassination dread and a long investigation under an authoritarian sta…

Assassination dread and a long investigation under an authoritarian state

Gore / death / weapons Mild Guns and a fatal shooting, with injury detail that looks restrained

Guns and a fatal shooting, with injury detail that looks restrained

Grief / bereavement Mild A public killing leaves lasting loss for a country and the people close…

A public killing leaves lasting loss for a country and the people close to it

Flashing lights We do not have enough information about flashing lights for this versio…

We do not have enough information about flashing lights for this version to confidently confirm.

Talk after watching

  • Why might a government want the public to stop asking questions after a tragedy?
  • What should journalists do when powerful people try to shut a story down?