The Assassin

During the last years of the Tang Dynasty, Nie Yinniang (Shu Qi), a young aristocrat trained as an assassin by her aunt Jia Xin (Fang Yi Sheu), is a living weapon tasked with eliminating corrupt government officials. When she shows mercy to a target, her aunt tests her resolve by ordering her to kill Tian Ji'an (Chang Chen), the military governor of Weibo - her cousin and former betrothed. As Yinniang observes the potential consequences of her mission, she becomes conflicted about following her aunt's orders, knowing her actions could destabilize the entire province. Torn between duty and compassion, she must ultimately choose between her head and her heart. This is a 2015 Taiwan/Hong Kong/China co-produced wuxia film loosely based on the seventh-century tale of "Nie Yinniang" by Pei Xing, directed by Hou Hsiao Hsien.