Fulltime Killer

2001 –

Hong Kong –

102 mins

IMDB
6.8

Rotten Tomatoes
59%

Letterboxd
3.5

Fulltime Killer follows two hitmen, Tok and O, who are fierce rivals in the criminal underworld. Tok is flamboyant and craves attention, while O is a quiet, efficient killer. As their competition intensifies, a cat-and-mouse game ensues, leading to a deadly confrontation between the two assassins.

Cast: Andy Lau Tak-Wah, Takashi Sorimachi, Simon Yam, Kelly Lin Hsi-Lei, Cherrie Ying Choi-Yi

Genre(s): Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller

Director(s): Johnnie To, Wai Ka-fai

Writer(s): Wai Ka-fai, Joey O’Bryan

Review

*may contain spoilers

When I watched Fulltime Killer, I expected a typical Hong Kong action film with stylish gunfights and loud explosions. For a while, that’s what it was. But directors Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai tried to do something more. What I got was a mix of sharp action, strange humor, and moments that left me both impressed and confused.

The story follows two hitmen competing for the title of Asia’s best killer. O is quiet and precise, doing his job with cold efficiency. Tok is loud, flashy, and obsessed with fame. He wants to take O’s crown. Between them is Chin, a cleaning woman who becomes involved with both men. As the police close in, the story turns into a messy mix of obsession, rivalry, and madness.

The first half feels energetic and fun. O’s opening scene in the train station is tense and stylish, very John Woo. Tok’s entrance is pure showmanship, full of movie references. At first it’s clever, but then it becomes too much. It feels like the directors wanted to show off how many films they’ve watched instead of just telling their own story.

The movie looks gorgeous though. Great cinematography, warm colors, and controlled action scenes. The muted gunfire adds an eerie calm to the violence. Technically it’s very polished. But the storytelling is uneven. The first half is fast and stylish, then the second half slows down and gets darker. There’s even a strange middle section where the story completely loses focus.

The actors do solid work. Sorimachi gives O quiet depth and you can feel his guilt behind the cold face. Andy Lau is all flair and ego as Tok, entertaining but lacking real weight. Kelly Lin brings some heart, though her character’s choices don’t always make sense. The final act tries to get clever with a novel subplot and mixing reality with fiction, but it doesn’t work.

The showdown between O and Tok feels rushed and too simple after all that buildup. Fulltime Killer has plenty of style and energy, but it tries too hard to be clever. It’s exciting to watch but leaves you feeling like it promised more than it delivered.

– written by sankalp