45
Metascore
30 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 70The Hollywood ReporterSheri LindenThe Hollywood ReporterSheri LindenBuilt for action, like its title character, the movie packs a muscular, bloody punch, but mainly it’s a well-oiled diversion.
- 70New York Daily NewsAllen SalkinNew York Daily NewsAllen SalkinAn international action thriller that starts slow but picks up speed and just outruns its own clichés to make for a gripping two-hour ride.
- 65TheWrapTodd GilchristTheWrapTodd GilchristFor those without strong feelings for the Harrison Ford-era Clancy adaptations, which were polished but largely unmemorable, American Assassin works best as a little-league version of one of those or, in more contemporary terms, as an unsurprising origin story for what the filmmakers obviously hope is the beginning of a franchise.
- 60Total FilmJames MottramTotal FilmJames MottramFrom the generic title to the formulaic plot (stolen plutonium, highest bidder etc.), you can imagine the rest. But director Michael Cuesta (Kill the Messenger) injects vitality where it’s needed.
- 40EmpireJonathan PileEmpireJonathan PileAn uneven thriller that would have been better served aiming for a lighter tone.
- 40VarietyAmy NicholsonVarietyAmy NicholsonO’Brien could grow into the role. He has an earnest, high voice — perhaps the reason he’s barely allowed to speak — and shines in the rare scenes where he gets to show personality, as do Keaton and Kitsch when they put down their guns.... It’d be more fun to watch the three actors swap war stories over beers than batter each other — especially when their worst enemy is the script’s coma-inducing machismo.
- 30Arizona RepublicRandy CordovaArizona RepublicRandy CordovaIt's all-around generic, made notable by its weirdly schizophrenic tone. Sometimes it strives to be a character-driven thriller in the Jason Bourne mold. In other moments, it goes for over-the-top action and violence. But it's never very exciting.
- 20The TelegraphRobbie CollinThe TelegraphRobbie CollinAmerican Assassin seems to have a certain target audience in mind, and it’s probably not one you’d want to be considered a part of.