Is there a lot of blood?

Yes. While it's not a horror movie, there are plenty of blood squibs and graphic gunshot wounds. It earns its R rating through the sheer volume of tactical killing.

Does it follow the story of the games?

Loosely. It uses the character and the organization (The ICA), but the plot is an original story that most hardcore fans find a bit disappointing compared to the games.

Yes, there is brief nudity and several scenes in a 'red light district' setting that make it inappropriate for younger viewers.

Should I watch this or the 2015 reboot?

Neither is a masterpiece, but the 2007 version (this one) is generally considered slightly better because of Olyphant's performance, even if the action is more dated.

Hitman – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Hitman

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2007

24%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Timothy Olyphant tries his best with a barcode on his head, but this 2007 video game adaptation is mostly just a hollow shell of gunfights and brooding.

6.2/10

16%

57%

→

Hitman

movie

R, 2007

24%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Timothy Olyphant tries his best with a barcode on his head, but this 2007 video game adaptation is mostly just a hollow shell of gunfights and brooding.

6.2

16%

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6.2/10

16%

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Screenwise Verdict

Hitman is a relic from the era when Hollywood didn't know how to turn a video game into a movie. It’s not a disaster, but it’s certainly not 'good.' Timothy Olyphant is the only reason to watch this, and even he looks like he’d rather be back on the set of Deadwood.

If your teen is obsessed with the games, they’ve probably already seen this. If not, there are much better action movies that offer more than just a bald guy in a suit looking tactical. It’s violent, a bit sleazy, and ultimately forgettable.

Age Fit

This is strictly for the late-teen and adult crowd. It’s an R-rated action movie that leans into the 'coolness' of being a hitman, which isn't exactly the vibe you want for a family movie night.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The protagonist is a genetically engineered professional killer. There is zero moral high ground or kindness here; it is a movie about high-efficiency homicide.

Imaginative

It inherits the cool 'silent assassin' world-building from the IO Interactive games, but the film execution is a fairly standard 2000s action thriller.

Safe

Rated R for a reason. Expect heavy gun violence, blood, cold-blooded executions, and some sexual situations/nudity typical of mid-2000s action flicks.

Enriching

Unless you're looking for a masterclass in how to stare intensely while bald, there isn't much here to grow the mind or the heart.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Timothy Olyphant brings a level of charisma to Agent 47 that the script honestly doesn't deserve.
Visual flair that occasionally captures the 'globe-trotting assassin' aesthetic of the popular game franchise.
Pure escapism for fans of early-2000s action who just want to see a guy in a suit outsmart international agencies.

⚠

What to Watch For

The violence is clinical and frequent, featuring stabbings, shootings, and explosions without much emotional weight.
A scene in a hotel involves a character who is a drug addict and prostitute, leading to some brief nudity and suggestive themes.
The plot is messy and might be genuinely boring for kids who aren't already invested in the 'Agent 47' lore.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Agent 47 has such a hard time connecting with other people?"
"How does the movie version of the character differ from how you'd play him in the game?"
"Is it possible for a character who does bad things for a living to still be a 'hero' in a story?"

Deep Dive

The 'Video Game Movie' Curse

Back in 2007, we were right in the thick of the video game movie curse. Studios knew these IPs had built-in audiences, but they hadn't yet figured out that you need a soul—not just a costume—to make a movie work. Hitman suffers from this lack of identity. It tries to be a sleek international thriller like Bourne, but it can't help falling back on generic action tropes.

Timothy Olyphant is a fantastic actor (go watch Justified instead), and he does the 'stone-faced killer' thing as well as anyone could. But the movie strips away the best part of the Hitman games: the dark, dry humor and the intricate 'social stealth.' Instead of a clever puzzle where you hide in plain sight, the movie often just devolves into a standard shootout.

For parents, the main thing to know is that this isn't 'superhero' violence. It's 'assassin' violence. It’s meant to be gritty and realistic, which makes the impact of the kills feel a bit more cynical. If you're looking for a tactical action fix, you're better off with the first John Wick—it has more heart and better choreography. Hitman is just a barcode on a blank slate.