American Assassin (2017) is an action-thriller film directed by Michael Cuesta, based on the 2010 novel of the same name by Vince Flynn. The movie stars Dylan O’Brien, Michael Keaton, Sanaa Lathan, Taylor Kitsch, and Shiva Negar. It serves as an origin story for Mitch Rapp, a s.k.i.l.l.ed CIA operative whose journey from tragedy to counter-terrorism forms the crux of the narrative.
The film begins with Mitch Rapp (Dylan O’Brien) on vacation with his girlfriend Katrina in Ibiza. Their idyllic moment is shattered when terrorists launch a brutal attack, killing Katrina and leaving Mitch devastated. Consumed by anger and grief, Mitch embarks on a personal mission of revenge, infiltrating a terrorist cell before being apprehended by the CIA.
Recognizing his potential, CIA Deputy Director Irene Kennedy (Sanaa Lathan) recruits Mitch into a covert counter-terrorism unit known as Orion. Under the tutelage of hardened Cold War veteran Stan Hurley (Michael Keaton), Mitch undergoes intense training, learning to channel his rage into calculated action.
The team’s first mission pits them against a rogue operative nicknamed “Ghost” (Taylor Kitsch), who is orchestrating the construction of a nuclear device for a terrorist group. As the team races against time to prevent a catastrophic attack, Mitchโs reckless determination clashes with Hurley’s discipline, but his resourcefulness and instincts prove invaluable.
The climax unfolds in the Mediterranean, where Mitch prevents the detonation of the nuclear device, averting disaster. In the process, he earns Hurley’s respect and solidifies his place as a key operative in the fight against global terrorism.