Ronin
Movie, 1998, 1996–1999, Set in France
Ronin is #24 of 26 in release order and #22 of 26 in chronological order in the '90s Action.
The story
A briefcase with undisclosed contents – sought by Irish terrorists and the Russian mob – makes its way into criminals' hands. An Irish liaison assembles a squad of mercenaries, or 'ronin', and gives them the thorny task of recovering the case.
Ronin recap
In Paris, a group of freelance operatives meet at the request of Deirdre, an Irishwoman: Sam, an American; Vincent, a Frenchman; Gregor, a German; Spence, a British weapons man; and Larry, a driver. They are hired to steal a briefcase from a heavily armed convoy before it is sold to the Russian mob, though no one says what is inside. Spence is fired for losing his nerve. The team takes the case in Nice in a car chase, but Gregor swaps it for a fake and runs, planning to sell it to the Russians. Larry is killed. Sam is shot and Vincent removes the bullet. They track Gregor to a theatre in Arles, and on to a Russian figure skater's show in Paris.
Ronin ending explained
Gregor's Russian buyer has the skater shot during her performance to cover the exchange, and Seamus, Deirdre's boss, kills Gregor and the buyer and takes the case. Sam lets Deirdre go and chases Seamus, and when Seamus is about to kill Vincent, Sam shoots him dead. Sam reveals he was a CIA agent all along. A radio reports that Seamus's death has helped bring peace in Northern Ireland, and the contents of the case are never revealed.
Post-credits scenes
No. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch Ronin
Ronin is streaming on fuboTV, Philo, Kanopy, Hoopla, MGM Plus, and YouTube (free) in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.2/10, Rotten Tomatoes 70%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Rush Hour, before Enemy of the State.
- Chronological order: after Rush Hour, before Enemy of the State.
Cast
- Robert De Niro as Sam
- Jean Reno as Vincent
- Natascha McElhone as Deirdre
- Stellan Skarsgård as Gregor
- Skipp Sudduth as Larry
- Jonathan Pryce as Seamus O'Rourke
- Sean Bean as Spence
- Michael Lonsdale as Jean-Pierre
- Féodor Atkine as Mikhi
- Katarina Witt as Natacha Kirilova
- Ron Perkins as Man with the Newspaper
- Daniel Breton as Sergi's Accomplice
Directed by John Frankenheimer.