🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Justin Kurzel
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
- Release year: 2016
- Runtime (length): 1h 55min
- IMDb rating: 5.6/10 (213K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 18%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A death row inmate plays a very immersive VR game about stabbing people in the Spanish Inquisition to find a magic apple that stops violence, but mostly ends up causing more violence.
🍿 Assassin’s Creed: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction: Callum’s Execution and Abstergo
The film opens with Callum Lynch, a death row inmate, being executed. However, he awakens in a facility run by Abstergo Industries, the modern face of the Templar Order. Dr. Sofia Rikkin, a scientist working for Abstergo, explains to Callum that he is a descendant of Aguilar de Nerha, an Assassin from 15th-century Spain.

The Animus and Aguilar’s Memories
Callum is subjected to the Animus, a machine that allows him to relive Aguilar’s memories. Through these experiences, Callum witnesses Aguilar’s fight against the Templars during the Spanish Inquisition. Aguilar and his fellow Assassins seek to protect the Apple of Eden, an artifact said to contain the key to controlling free will.

Conflict and Synchronization
As Callum relives Aguilar’s memories, he begins to synchronize with his ancestor, developing the skills and knowledge of a Master Assassin. Meanwhile, Abstergo, led by Sofia’s father Alan Rikkin, hopes to use Callum to locate the Apple of Eden in the present day.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Callum Lynch/Aguilar de Nerha (Michael Fassbender): A convict forced to relive his ancestor’s memories as a 15th-century Assassin, gaining the skills to fight the Templars in the present day.
- Sofia Rikkin (Marion Cotillard): A scientist working for Abstergo, using the Animus to unlock genetic memories in search of the Apple of Eden.
- Alan Rikkin (Jeremy Irons): The CEO of Abstergo Industries and a high-ranking Templar seeking to control free will using the Apple of Eden.
- Joseph Lynch (Brendan Gleeson): Callum’s father and a member of the Assassin Brotherhood who murdered Callum’s mother to protect her from Abstergo.
- Ellen Kaye (Charlotte Rampling): A Templar higher-up who questions Rikkin’s methods and the effectiveness of the Animus project.
- Moussa (Michael Kenneth Williams): A descendant of an Assassin from Haiti at the Abstergo facility who allies with Callum.
- Maria (Ariane Labed): Aguilar’s partner and fellow Assassin in 15th century Spain, fighting against the Templars.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Cal Lynch: “These are the sacred tenets of our brotherhood: to stay your blade from the flesh of the innocent, to hide in the plain sight, and above all else, never to compromise the brotherhood.” – Cal recites the Assassin’s Creed, emphasizing the core principles that guide their actions and define their identity.
- Aguilar de Nerha: “We work in the dark to serve the light. We are Assassins.” – Aguilar states the Assassin’s Creed, a motto which has resonated with fans of the franchise.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $125,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $54,647,948
- Worldwide Gross: $240,697,856
💥 Assassin’s Creed Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I went into this movie with pretty low expectations because of all the bad buzz. I’m a fan of the games, so I was hoping for *something* good. The action scenes were cool, especially when they blended the present and past together. But honestly, I spent most of the movie trying to figure out what was going on. Fassbender did a good job, but even he couldn’t save the confusing plot. I’m still not entirely sure what the Apple of Eden even does. It could have been so much better if they simplified the story.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of the Assassin’s Creed video game franchise”
- “Viewers interested in historical action and sci-fi blends”
- “Those who enjoy movies with parkour and martial arts sequences”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Intense violence and action sequences”
- “Brief scenes of graphic imagery”
- “Mature themes and potentially disturbing content”
Professional Reviews
- Rolling Stone: “Visually impressive but narratively hollow, Assassin’s Creed fails to capture the intrigue and depth of the source material. Fassbender does his best, but is weighed down by a convoluted plot that lacks emotional resonance. The action is frequent but lacks impact.
- IGN: “Assassin’s Creed is a decent, if flawed, attempt to bring the popular video game series to the big screen. While the action sequences are well-choreographed and visually exciting, the story is underdeveloped and the characters lack depth, making it hard to fully invest in their conflicts.
- Empire: “The film looks great, and the action is well-staged, but Assassin’s Creed ultimately suffers from a weak script and a lack of compelling characters. Even Fassbender can’t elevate this above a visually impressive but ultimately forgettable action film.
Audience Reactions
The parkour and action sequences were visually stunning and exciting.: Fans appreciated the accurate recreation of the game’s atmosphere and world.
The movie stayed reasonably true to the source material: Fans liked that the game stayed reasonably true to the source material of the video game.
Overall Consensus: Assassin’s Creed is a visually impressive but narratively weak adaptation that struggles to capture the depth and intrigue of the source material. While the action is exciting, the convoluted plot and underdeveloped characters make it difficult for audiences to fully connect with the story.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film features the highest free fall performed by a stuntman in almost 35 years; Damien Walters performed a free fall from a height of 125 feet (38 meters), which lasted almost 3 seconds with a 61 mph impact speed.”
- “To ensure loyalty, the Spanish branch of the Brotherhood still severs one finger per initiate as a symbolic gesture of dedication, even though it’s no longer functionally necessary for using the hidden blade.”
🖥️ How to Watch Assassin’s Creed?
Assassin’s Creed (2016) is available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. Check streaming services such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu to rent or buy the movie. Availability may vary depending on your region. You might also find it on demand through your cable provider. Physical copies (Blu-ray, DVD) are available at major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Assassin’s Creed, you might like these similar films:
- Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010): Similar action-adventure with historical elements, parkour, and a video game adaptation.
- The Matrix (1999): Explores themes of simulated reality and individuals fighting against a powerful controlling force, even if this movie is more Sci-Fi than historical.
- Equilibrium (2002): Fights to reclaim free will.
🛒 Assassin’s Creed Related Products
- Assassin’s Creed: The Official Movie Novelization: Relive the adventure of the film with additional scenes and character depth. Great for expanding the world of the movie, giving additional context.
- Assassin’s Creed Aguilar Funko Pop! Vinyl Figure: A stylized collectible figure of Aguilar, Michael Fassbender’s character from the movie. A must-have for fans of the movie and Assassin’s Creed franchise.
- Assassin’s Creed Movie Poster: Printed on high-quality paper, perfect for any game room or bedroom for a long-lasting display. Printed with vibrant, long-lasting inks.
- Assassin’s Creed Origins (Video Game): Dive into Ancient Egypt, unravel dark secrets and forgotten myths, the one where it all began. The game features redesigned combat and you explore the Great Pyramids and hidden tombs across Egypt.
🎧 Soundtrack
Assassin’s Creed features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “The Animus” – performed by Jed Kurzel
- “Execution” – performed by Jed Kurzel
- “Entrance Song” – performed by The Black Angels
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
The Apple of Eden is an artifact sought after by both the Assassins and Templars. It is said to contain the genetic code for free will, allowing the user to control humanity. The Templars seek to use it to end violence, while the Assassins aim to protect free will.
The Animus is a device created by Abstergo Industries that allows individuals to relive the memories of their ancestors through their DNA. In the film, Callum Lynch uses the Animus to experience the life of his ancestor, Aguilar de Nerha.
The Assassins and Templars are two opposing secret societies that have been in conflict for centuries. The Assassins fight for free will, while the Templars seek to establish order through control. Their conflict revolves around powerful artifacts, such as the Apple of Eden.
🔥 Bonus Content
Assassin’s Creed – Movie Review
Hey, want to know what a professional movie critic thinks about Assassin’s Creed? Check out this review by Chris Stuckmann, who breaks down the movie’s strengths and weaknesses in a clear and engaging way.
Assassin’s Creed – Anatomy Of A Failure
Curious about why the Assassin’s Creed movie didn’t quite hit the mark? This video takes a deep dive into the reasons behind its failure, providing valuable insights for fans of the franchise.
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