Netflix viewers are raving over David Fincher’s gritty neo-noir film as it lands on the streaming service – and hail it their ‘favourite movie of the year’

David Fincher’s film adaptation of the French graphic novel The Killer has captivated fans and received rave reviews on social media.

In the works since 2007, the neo-noir R-Rated thriller is modeled after the 1998 French comic book of the same name, by Alex Nolent and artist Luc Jacamon, and stars Michael Fassbender as a troubled assassin.

It had a limited release in cinemas from October 27, but just two weeks later, on November 10, the slow burner was released on streaming platform Netflix.

Since then, The Killer has taken social media by storm, with fans calling it a “lovely watch” and others calling it their “favorite movie of the year.”

But such rave reviews are not a rarity for Fincher, whose films are quickly becoming cult classics such as Fight Club and Zodiac.

After a crucial close call, an assassin takes on his employers on an international manhunt, all while battling his inner demons.

Michael Fassbender brings the cool and calculating killer to life as he lurks in the shadows and listens to The Smiths, waiting for the perfect moment to claim his next victim – without an ounce of regret in his mind.

However, his callous act quickly begins to unravel when a hit goes wrong and the killer becomes embroiled in a blood-stained manhunt across the world.

‘The Killer has an old-school feel and still manages to achieve its goal by bringing a touch of freshness, humor and unpredictability to this well-worn genre,’ CNNs critic Brian Lowry said.

AA Dowd van Digital trends said: ‘Leave it to Fincher to find something personal in an ode to impersonality.’

Peter Trevers from ABC expressed similar praise, saying, “It is Fincher’s wonderfully depraved conceit that his perfectionist process is not much different from that of the killer.”

“In his hands, and a mesmerizing title turn from Fassbinder, what could have been an assassin cliché becomes a tangle of loose ends that are terrifyingly let go.”

British actress Tilda Swinton (pictured) plays ‘The Expert’ is Fincher’s latest neo-noir action thriller

The film follows Michael Fassbender as ‘The Killer’, and his cool act quickly unravels after a job goes wrong

Likewise, fans took to social media to share their thoughts on the film, and many were impressed.

One said: ‘David Fincher doesn’t disappoint at all. Michael Fassbender, with his cold exterior, is unpredictable and delightful; watch. Just when you think he would do something, he does the opposite.”

A second simply said: ‘Fantastic film.’

A third wrote: ‘Favorite movie of the year.’

Another added: ‘I watched The Killer on Netflix this weekend and I’m still thinking about it now. I can’t take your eyes off it and my appreciation for it grows the more I think about it. Good movie.’

Michael Fassbender’s title character spends days staking out a swanky penthouse, waiting in the rented apartment across the street for a clear line of sight to his target

Fans flocked to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their thoughts on the film, and many were impressed

A fifth added: ‘I enjoyed ‘The Killer’ on Netflix. A film about men’s mental health. The main character is clearly desperate to have a conversation with his friends. Working alone, long hours, the fact that he constantly listens to the blacksmiths is also a cry for help.’

Another said: ‘#the murderer. Fincher’s Netflix oeuvre is an impressive, grounded and minimalist story about a thoughtful assassin.

‘Fassbender convincingly plays the empty shell. It stands in stark contrast to more action-packed fantastical films in the same genre.”

Another fan added: ‘Watched The Killer on Netflix late last night. Fincher delivers, as usual, and I’m quite glad there were no ‘twists’.

‘The soundtrack, saturated with The Smiths, was also a delight.’