The Killer ★★★½

WHERE have David Fincher and Michael Fassbender been?

The Killer is Fincher’s first film in three years and we didn’t hear a thing from Fassbender for four years.

The director of modern classics Zodiac, Fight Club and Seven doesn’t actually make that many films so it’s always an event when one arrives, particularly so when it includes a new pairing with an excellent actor like Fassbender.

It’s a character study of a professional hit man who may no longer be at the top of his game.

‘The Killer’ thinks he still is, but despite his running commentary on his own professionalism, he seems to be slipping.

He spends the first ten minutes explaining his painstaking routine over days while stalking his target and then promptly misses for apparently the first time.

This error has significant repercussions for the hit man who takes things personally, contrary to all his outward claims and demeanour.

Based on a French graphic novel series of the same name, Fincher’s film is engrossing throughout but doesn’t necessarily bring much new to the genre.

The approach to the character reminded me often of American Psycho with a similar undercurrent of satire.

Fassbender is great as always and there’s a terrific sequence towards the end featuring a cameo from Tilda Swinton.