The Assassin
The Assassin Review: A Witty, Twisty Thriller That’s More Fun Than It Should Be
The Assassin is a deliciously entertaining ride—a show that knows exactly what it is and has a hell of a good time being it. Created by Harry and Jack Williams (The Missing, Baptiste), this Prime Video series pairs the always-magnetic Keeley Hawes with Freddie Highmore for a sun-drenched, blood-splattered adventure that critics have largely adored, even if audiences remain divided.
The numbers reveal a fascinating split. Critics have embraced the show with a 90% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on early reviews, with some outlets reporting scores as high as 92%[reference:0][reference:1]. The Guardian called it “perfectly crafted preposterousness,” praising it as “stylish, witty, tightly written, even more tightly paced” and noting that it “takes the job of massively entertaining us at every turn with the proper amount of seriousness”[reference:2]. Empire highlighted the “verbal sparring matches” between Hawes and Highmore as where the show “has the most fun, but also cuts deepest,” while The Hollywood Reporter described it as “a too-slight hitwoman comedy” that still charms thanks to its leads[reference:3][reference:4].
Audiences, however, have been far less forgiving, with the audience score sitting at just 37% on Rotten Tomatoes[reference:5]. Some viewers found the plot “laboured, slow and overly drawn out,” while others felt the tonal shifts between comedy and thriller didn’t always land[reference:6]. Yet even the show’s detractors seem to agree on one thing: Hawes and Highmore are an absolute joy to watch. Hawes is described as “so good, so funny,” while Highmore is “nimble and perfectly pitched”[reference:7]. The show’s blend of globe-trotting espionage, dysfunctional family dynamics, and wry British humor has made it a hit on streaming charts, even if it hasn’t won over every viewer[reference:8]. For fans of Hawes, Highmore, or just a good old-fashioned twisty thriller with a generous side of dark comedy, The Assassin is well worth your time.
The Assassin Cast: Keeley Hawes and Freddie Highmore Lead a Charming Ensemble
The series is anchored by two phenomenal leads whose chemistry elevates every scene, supported by a talented ensemble of international actors:
Keeley Hawes delivers a career-highlight performance as Julie, a retired assassin who has traded her violent past for a quiet life on a remote Greek island. Hawes brings a wonderful blend of world-weary cynicism, maternal frustration, and lethal competence to the role, proving equally convincing in moments of tender vulnerability and bone-crunching action. She is the undeniable heart of the series, and critics have unanimously praised her comedic timing and dramatic range.
Freddie Highmore is perfectly cast as Edward, Julie’s estranged son, a journalist who arrives on the island with questions about his paternity—and no idea that his mother is a trained killer. Highmore’s innate likeability and knack for playing slightly neurotic, well-meaning characters make him the ideal foil for Hawes. Their bickering, bantering dynamic is the show’s secret weapon. Shalom Brune-Franklin (Baby Reindeer, The Girlfriend) brings spark and tenacity to Kayla, Edward’s savvy fiancĂ©e, while Devon Terrell returns as Ezra[reference:9][reference:10]. Gina Gershon adds a touch of Hollywood glamour as Marie, and Gerald Kyd rounds out the supporting cast[reference:11][reference:12].
The Assassin Plot: A Mother, A Son, and a Past That Won’t Stay Buried
The story follows Julie (Keeley Hawes), a retired assassin who has spent years living a solitary, peaceful existence on a picturesque Greek island. She has left her violent past behind—or so she thinks. Her quiet life is upended when her estranged son, Edward (Freddie Highmore), arrives from England for an unexpected visit. Edward is a journalist, and he’s armed with new information about his paternity. He’s desperate to find the right moment to confront his frustratingly distant mother about the truth of his parentage[reference:13][reference:14].
But before that conversation can happen, Julie’s past catches up with her in the most violent way possible. Her former associates have not received the memo that she’s retired, and when an attempt is made on her life, Edward is caught in the crossfire. In a desperate bid to survive, Julie is forced to come out of retirement, and she and Edward go on the run together, fleeing the idyllic island and embarking on a breakneck journey across Europe[reference:15][reference:16].
As they navigate a web of assassins, double-crosses, and a dark conspiracy that threatens to consume them both, Julie and Edward must learn to work together. Their dysfunctional relationship is pushed to its breaking point, but it’s also the only thing keeping them alive. Edward must confront the terrifying reality of who his mother really is, and Julie must reckon with the cost of her past—and the son she left behind. The series is described as “a twisty spy thriller with cutthroat action” that also serves as a “funnier-than-expected lark”[reference:17][reference:18]. It’s a story about family, secrets, and the unbreakable bonds that survive even the most explosive of revelations.
“Retirement is a killer.”
