In my new novel Hunted, Detective Constable Bailey Morgan is being pursued by a ruthless hitman who’ll stop at nothing to kill her… unless she manages to catch him first!
Hitmen, or contract killers, are a stalwart of crime cinema, and if reading Hunted whets your appetite for more stories about these murderous individuals then here are my top ten recommendations for movies to keep you entertained!
- The Killer – John Woo’s 1989 action classic tells the story of a Hong Kong hitman with a heart of gold who searches for redemption after accidentally blinding a nightclub singer in the course of a hit. It’s a seminal action thriller whose fantastically choreographed sequences influenced a whole generation of Hollywood films.
- In Bruges – Brilliant Irish comedy about two hitmen lying low in Bruges following a bungled hit. Hilarious black humour ensues with Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson leading the cast plus a surprisingly good comic turn from Ralph Fiennes.
- John Wick – No list of hitman movies would be complete without mention of John Wick. Keanu Reeves stars as the ice-cold killer who wreaks bloody revenge after Russian mobsters kill his pet puppy. Slick over-the-top violence and popcorn thrills abound. There are three movies out now, with a fourth due for release in 2023.
- The Mechanic – A seasoned hitman takes on a younger man as an apprentice but a dark betrayal is in the works. The 2011 film starring Jason Statham in the titular role is a remake of the 1972 classic starring Charles Bronson. Both films are well worth watching and highly entertaining.
- Prizzi’s Honor – Jack Nicholson and Kathleen Turner play two mafia assassins who fall in love… but are then hired to kill each other! It’s a dark funny thriller that won a lot of awards.
- Collateral – In Michael Mann’s ultra-stylish thriller Tom Cruise plays a top-level hitman in Los Angeles on a mission to wipe out several people in the space of one evening, taking innocent cab driver Jamie Foxx along for the ride. Some people rate it as Tom Cruise’s best performance.
- La Femme Nikita – Classic French action thriller from director Luc Besson about a murderous street punk who is given the chance to redeem herself… but only if she agrees to work as an assassin for the French government. Spawned two movie remakes and two TV series.
- Grosse Point Blank – 1997 black comedy starring John Cusack as a hitman returning to his hometown for a school reunion. Superbly witty script makes for a very entertaining movie.
- Le Samouraï– Made in 1967, this French New Wave crime film from director Jean-Pierre Melville stars Alan Delon as a professional hitman who falls foul of the treacherous and unforgiving environment he operates in. Delon’s hitman is the epitome of 60s cool.
- Pulp Fiction – Who can forget the priceless banter between the hitmen, Vincent and Jules, played by John Travolta and Samuel L Jackson? Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 movie is rightly regarded as a masterpiece, and many critics consider it one of the best films ever made.
So there you go. My top ten hitman (and hitwoman) movies. Enjoy!
Hunted (Bailey Morgan Book 3):
Villain (Bailey Morgan Book 2):
Jailbird (Bailey Morgan Book 1):