The Protégé is a 109-minute assassin thriller that lets Maggie Q shine. Martin Campbell directs Anna, a killer trained by Samuel L. Jackson’s Moody, seeking revenge after his death. Q’s lethal grace—knives, guns, bikes—drives setpieces like a Hanoi slaughter, her quiet intensity a masterclass. Jackson’s gravelly warmth lights up flashbacks, while Michael Keaton’s rival Rembrandt adds flirty menace, their chemistry sizzling. The plot twists—betrayals, secrets—but muddles in corporate villainy.

Jed Mercurio’s cinematography mixes neon and grit, and Rupert Parkes’ score hums with tension. Campbell, of Casino Royale fame, keeps fights taut, though the middle sags. Themes of loyalty and legacy add weight, but don’t soar. In 2021’s action glut, The Protégé stood out for Q’s star turn and old-school craft, a B-thriller with A-list poise that begs for a sequel.