Agent 47 is more than just a barcode tattooed on a bald head. He is a ghost, a myth, a perfectly engineered killing machine. However, the 2007 film adaptation dares to ask what happens when the perfect weapon develops a glitch. Consequently, it forces this stoic assassin into a messy world of politics, betrayal, and unexpected human connection.
Detailed Summary
The Setup in St. Petersburg
The film opens with Agent 47, a cloned assassin working for a mysterious group called the Organization, preparing for a public assassination. His target is Russian President Mikhail Belicoff. Moreover, he completes his mission with chilling precision, firing a single sniper round from an incredible distance. 47 confirms the kill and prepares for exfiltration. However, his handler Diana Burnwood informs him there is a witness, Nika Boronina. Consequently, the Organization orders him to kill her as well.
A Hit Gone Wrong
Agent 47 travels to St. Petersburg to eliminate Nika. He finds her but hesitates, sensing something is amiss. His instincts prove correct when he spots Belicoff, alive and well, giving a public speech. Realizing he has been set up, 47 spares Nika. Suddenly, FSB agents led by Mike Whittier, an Interpol detective obsessed with catching 47, storm his hotel. 47 engineers a spectacular escape. Specifically, he jumps from his hotel window into an adjacent one, leading to a massive firefight with Russian special forces.
An Unlikely Alliance
Forced on the run, Agent 47 takes a reluctant Nika with him. He needs her to understand why he was targeted. Meanwhile, she is the abused mistress of Belicoff and provides crucial insight. Their journey is fraught with tension. For instance, in one scene on a train, 47 is forced to fight off and kill several other assassins sent by the Organization. In addition, this encounter solidifies his status as a rogue agent, now hunted by both his former employers and international law enforcement.
The Double’s Deception
Agent 47 deduces the truth through his investigation and Nika’s help. The man he originally killed was, in fact, the real President Belicoff. The man currently in power is a political double, a puppet installed by a cabal seeking to control Russia. The hit was ordered to remove the real Belicoff, while the order to kill Nika was designed to be a trap for 47 himself. Therefore, the goal was to eliminate the only person outside their circle who could expose the conspiracy.
Confrontation and Climax
To clear his name and destroy the conspiracy, Agent 47 devises a bold plan. He arranges to have himself captured by Whittier’s team. However, this is just a ruse. He uses his connections to have the CIA intercept Whittier’s transport. 47 then brokers a deal with CIA Agent Smith. In exchange for assistance, 47 will do what the CIA cannot: kill the Belicoff double. He proceeds to a cathedral where the double is giving a eulogy for the “deceased” president. In a massive shootout, 47 eliminates the Belicoff double in front of a horrified crowd, finally exposing the plot.
Movie Ending
After killing Belicoff’s double, Agent 47 is seemingly cornered and surrounded by Interpol and FSB agents. Whittier finally has him. However, the scene cuts away. We next see Whittier escorting 47’s body, which is prepared for cremation. Just as the doors to the furnace close, 47’s eyes snap open. As a result of his deal with Agent Smith, the CIA arranged for him to be injected with a serum that simulates death.
Suddenly, CIA operatives disguised as medical staff intervene, allowing a now fully awake 47 to escape. The assassins from the Organization who were waiting to confirm his death are slaughtered. Whittier is left bewildered, forced to accept that 47 has eluded him yet again. In the final sequence, Nika is shown receiving an anonymous gift: the deed to a vineyard, something she once dreamed of owning. From a distance, Agent 47 watches her through a sniper scope, smiles faintly, and walks away. His final act is tracking down the Interpol agent who initially sold him out, whom he kills before disappearing completely.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
There are no post-credits or mid-credits scenes in Hitman. Once the credits begin to roll, the film is officially over.
Type of Movie
Hitman is a slick action thriller. The film blends elements of espionage with high-octane, stylized violence. Its tone is largely serious and grim, reflecting the cold nature of its protagonist. However, it peppers in moments of dark, dry humor. These often arise from Agent 47’s socially awkward interactions with the world around him.
Cast
- Timothy Olyphant – Agent 47
- Dougray Scott – Mike Whittier
- Olga Kurylenko – Nika Boronina
- Robert Knepper – Yuri Marklov
- Ulrich Thomsen – Mikhail Belicoff / Belicoff’s Double
- Henry Ian Cusick – Udre Belicoff
Film Music and Composer
Jesper Kyd composed the score for Hitman. Notably, Kyd was also the composer for the first four games in the video game series. This choice provided a strong sense of continuity. His score combines orchestral and electronic elements to create a tense, atmospheric soundscape. The most iconic track used in the film is “Ave Maria,” which has been a musical motif for the franchise since Hitman: Blood Money.
Filming Locations
The majority of Hitman was filmed in Sofia, Bulgaria. The city’s post-Soviet architecture and atmosphere served as a convincing stand-in for Russian locations like St. Petersburg and Moscow. This choice provided an authentic-feeling backdrop for the political conspiracy at the heart of the story. In addition, some scenes were also shot in Cape Town, South Africa, and Istanbul, Turkey.
Awards and Nominations
The film’s reception was modest in terms of major awards. It did, however, receive some recognition for its technical and marketing achievements. For instance, it won the Golden Trailer Award for Best Action TV Spot. Furthermore, it was nominated for a World Stunt Award for Best Fight, recognizing the intense train station sequence.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Timothy Olyphant was reportedly hesitant to take the role. He only accepted after learning that the film would be more than a simple video game movie, with a focus on character.
- Vin Diesel was originally attached to star as Agent 47. However, he dropped out to work on Babylon A.D. but remained an executive producer on Hitman.
- Olyphant shaved his head for the role. In contrast to the game character, the filmmakers chose not to tattoo the barcode on the back of his head, believing it looked silly in real life. It is instead shown in the opening credits and on schematics.
- Director Xavier Gens wanted to make a very hard-R rated movie. Consequently, the studio, 20th Century Fox, forced him to make significant cuts to secure a more commercially friendly R rating.
Inspirations and References
The film is directly based on the IO Interactive video game series of the same name, Hitman. It draws heavily from the lore and aesthetics established in games like Hitman 2: Silent Assassin and Hitman: Blood Money. For example, the character of Agent 47, his origins in a cloning program, his handler Diana Burnwood, and his signature Silverballer pistols are all taken directly from the source material.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
There is no known alternate ending for Hitman. However, an unrated version of the film was released on home video. This cut restores much of the violence and nudity that director Xavier Gens was forced to remove for the theatrical release. Specifically, it features more graphic gunfights and a longer, more explicit version of Nika’s introduction.
Book Adaptations and Differences
Hitman is not based on a book. It is a direct adaptation of the video game franchise. The film’s plot is an original story created for the movie. On the other hand, it borrows thematic elements from the games, such as Agent 47 being betrayed by the Organization and forced to go against his creators.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The Hotel Escape: Agent 47’s daring escape from his hotel room by jumping across an atrium while under heavy fire from FSB commandos is a standout action set piece.
- The Sword Fight: A tense and well-choreographed fight scene where Agent 47 takes on three other assassins armed with swords in a confined train car.
- The Final Assassination: 47’s infiltration of a cathedral and public execution of the Belicoff double is the chaotic climax, bringing all the story threads together in a hail of bullets.
Iconic Quotes
- Nika: “What’s your name?” Agent 47: “47.” Nika: “That’s not a name.” Agent 47: “It’s the name they gave me.”
- Agent 47: “That badge, that uniform, it’s just a costume. You’re a killer. Just like me.”
- Mike Whittier: “How does a ghost resurface?”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- During the hotel siege, two children are briefly shown playing a Hitman video game, specifically Hitman: Blood Money.
- In 47’s hotel room, his laptop displays a page about poisons, a nod to the many methods of assassination available in the games.
- The iconic rubber duck, a recurring item in the game series, can be seen briefly in a hotel bathroom.
- The “Ave Maria” music is a direct homage to the score of Hitman: Blood Money, where it plays during a key mission.
Trivia
- Timothy Olyphant filmed Hitman right after finishing work on Live Free or Die Hard, where he also played a villain.
- Ulrich Thomsen, who plays President Mikhail Belicoff, also portrays Belicoff’s unnamed political double.
- The film’s script originally included a scene where Agent 47 tells a story about his pet mouse as a child, showing a sliver of humanity. However, this was ultimately cut.
- The symbol of the Organization is an “O” with a cross inside, which is not present in the video games.
Why Watch?
This film offers slick, stylized action and a compellingly cold performance from Timothy Olyphant. Ultimately, it is a fun, fast-paced thriller that captures the super-assassin fantasy of its source material, making it a solid choice for an action movie night.
Director’s Other Movies
- Frontier(s) (2007)
- The Divide (2011)
- The Crucifixion (2017)
- Budapest (2018)
