Assassins (1995) – Focus on Robert Rath
Assassins (1995) – Focus on Robert Rath
Assassins (1995) is an action thriller directed by Richard Donner and written by the Wachowskis. The film stars Sylvester Stallone as Robert Rath, a weary, highly skilled professional assassin who finds himself at a crossroads in his career and conscience.
Robert Rath is known in the underworld as the best in the business—precise, efficient, and unemotional. However, he is increasingly haunted by the memory of his past assignments, particularly the assassination of his own mentor, Nicolai, years earlier. Tired of killing and disillusioned with the life he’s led, Rath is considering retirement. But before he can walk away, he’s drawn into one final job.
This assignment, however, quickly becomes complicated. Another ambitious assassin, the reckless and unpredictable Miguel Bain (played by Antonio Banderas), has entered the picture. Bain is determined to surpass Rath’s reputation and sees killing him as the ultimate prize. Bain is younger, faster, and thrives on chaos—an obvious contrast to Rath’s calculated and emotionless approach. As their deadly rivalry intensifies, Bain begins to steal Rath’s contracts and interferes with his missions.
The central plot revolves around a data disc containing sensitive and valuable information. Rath is hired to eliminate the target—computer hacker Electra (played by Julianne Moore)—and retrieve the disc. However, after meeting Electra and learning more about the contents of the disc, Rath chooses to spare her life. This decision turns both of them into targets, forcing them into an uneasy alliance as they try to survive and uncover who is manipulating them.
Throughout the film, Robert Rath’s character evolves from a detached killer to someone searching for redemption. He begins to question the morality of his profession and seeks a way out. His interaction with Electra brings out a more human side of him, pushing him to finally confront his past and the people controlling the shadows of his world.
In the climactic sequence, Rath discovers that his old mentor Nicolai is actually alive and behind the recent contracts, using Bain to eliminate Rath and complete a power shift in the assassination network. In a final showdown, Rath kills Nicolai and Bain, symbolically ending the chapter of his life as a killer.
Assassins blends explosive action with themes of honor, legacy, and personal redemption. Robert Rath is portrayed as a complex anti-hero—lethal, experienced, but ultimately seeking peace in a world that offers none.
