Lionsgate

In 2017,American Assassinonly had a short stop at the box role on its way toward a disappointing $ 67.2 million oecumenical gross . That apparently put an end to any ambitions to grow the late Vince Flynn ’s action - thriller novel into a cinematic enfranchisement . But as we ’ve see so many multiplication before , theNetflixeffect can interchange everything . Shortly after its arrival on the chopine , American Assassintopped the charts ofNetflix ’s 10 most popular movie .

American Assassinplays like a throwback to 1980s legal action flicks , as formerTeen Wolfstar Dylan O’Brien step into a lead role as Mitch Rapp . All Mitch wanted to do was bask his life with his lady friend , Katrina Harper ( Charlotte Vega ) . But after Katrina is killed in a terrorist tone-beginning , Mitch makes it his personal mission to run down the world creditworthy for her death . That take Mitch to the aid of CIA Agent Stan Hurley ( Michael Keaton ) , who enroll him to join the contraband ops unit Orion . Mitch quickly show that he belong in the CIA , but his genuine test lies ahead when a former member of Orion threatens to destabilise the world with a nuclear weapon .

Michael Keaton points a gun in American Assassin.

Lionsgate

If you ’ve been on the fence about this action flick , here are three reason why you should watchAmerican Assassinon Netflix .

Dylan O’Brien shows off his action hero potential

O’Brien has n’t really gained traction yet as an action hero , which may be becauseAmerican Assassindidn’t light the boxful office on flaming . But now that the film is a hit on Netflix , audiences can see how O’Brien sheds his adolescent idol feel and in reality looks like to the full open of accommodate his own in a fight .

Physicality is only part of playing a great action hero . The caliber that most would - be action stars lack is the power to make the interview feel for them . O’Brien ’s ability to emote allows viewers to have understanding for him in his darkest here and now , while also allowing them to root for him when he starts kick terrorist butt around the Earth . This was n’t O’Brien ’s breakout role , but it ’s the kind of part that may lead him to something bountiful in the future .

Michael Keaton delivers a great supporting performance

Be reliable : Have you ever seen Michael Keaton give a unfit performance ? He ’s been in plentitude of bad moving-picture show like 2023’sThe Flash , but Keaton always delivers on his end of the bargain , regardless of the music genre . Keaton ’s role as Rapp ’s mentor could have been a ungratifying and throwaway part . But somehow , Keaton manages to make his character compelling even during exhibition scene .

The biggest grounds why Keaton works so well in this movie is that he is by far the most credible character in the flick , even more so than O’Brien ’s Rapp . Everything about Keaton ’s performance is convincing , and that goes a long way toward help the hearing buy into the stakes of the film .

Taylor Kitsch’s Ghost is a formidable villain

The funny thing about Taylor Kitsch ’s role in this picture is that he was also a teenager beau ideal thanks to his stint on NBC’sFriday Night Lights . Like O’Brien , Kitsch had some previous action experience to take up from , let in a leading theatrical role in the implausibly underrated sci - fi flickJohn Carter .

American Assassinmay be the first time that Kitsch had to play a true villain , and he really goes for the throat as Ghost , an ex - operative of Orion . As far as Ghost is concerned , he ’s all justified in find his revenge on the CIA . And he ’s more than uncoerced to sacrifice his life-time to get his revenge on his country . Kitsch ’s public presentation and physicality go a long way toward make him a convincing foil to both O’Brien and Keaton in this flick . Kitsch may not get many leading human race roles any more , but he ’s clearly got a great time to come as a cinematic bad cat .

WatchAmerican AssassinonNetflix .