Reign of Assassins (2010)

March 23, 2025 3:52 PM

Reign of Assassins is a 2010 wuxia film directed by Su Chao-pin and co-directed by John Woo. The film is shot in China and set during the Ming Dynasty. The film stars Michelle Yeoh, who plays an assassin who tries to return to a normal life after being counseled by a monk. After saving her husband and herself from robbers, she attracts the attention of her former assassin gang. [wikipedia] Currently on Tubi.

Wuxia literally "martial arts and chivalry") is a genre of Chinese fiction concerning the adventures of martial artists in ancient China. Although wuxia is traditionally a form of historical fantasy literature, its popularity has caused it to be adapted for such diverse art forms as Chinese opera, manhua, television dramas, films, and video games. It forms part of popular culture in many Chinese-speaking communities around the world. According to Hong Kong film director, producer, and movie writer Ronny Yu, wuxia movies are not to be confused with martial arts movies.[wikipedia]

posted by bunderful (1 comment total)

I’ve been wishing I could re-watch Everything Everywhere All At Once (am unemployed and sticking to free options right now, which limits my viewing options a bit), but watching YouTube critiques and reviews I learned that it references a lot of martial arts movies, and then I decided to see what else Michelle Yeoh had been in.

This was fun to watch and I started thinking of it as similar in vibe to Arthurian legend. I loved the idea of Michelle’s character being a secret badass with a sweet husband, but then I liked the twist.
posted by bunderful at 7:29 PM on March 23 [1 favorite]