“That’s what all this is about—money.” When Vincent (Jean Reno) says those words in Ronin, it almost makes the entire thing sound like a money grab. But that’s only the bait, because what comes next is much more complicated. It’s about loyalty, survival, trust problems, and the havoc that follows when people have agendas in their back pockets. The 1998 action thriller serves up one of the best car chases ever filmed, and best believe that it’s completely unforgettable. And Robert De Niro? He’s cool and detached, and completely in charge as Sam, a player who remains cool but never off guard. That’s why he’s given the nickname “the Ronin among Ronins.”
Even with solid casting and wound-up plotting, Ronin tends to get overshadowed by the more boisterous movies of the late ’90s. But at its core, it’s a story about ex-intelligence agents trying to pull off a job that’s anything but simple. They’re after a mysterious briefcase, but everyone’s got their own secret agenda. With John Frankenheimer behind the camera, things just keep getting more intense, and by the end, you’re left questioning who can be trusted at all.
Robert De Niro is The Glue That Holds ‘Ronin’s Killer Ensemble Together
“It’s a kick to watch De Niro in James Bond mode,” says Peter Travers of Rolling Stone. However, in Ronin, De Niro’s character is not quite like Bond, who is often glamorous. Like Bond, De Niro’s Sam often takes control of high-stakes situations in the film. This is evident in the bullet removal scene. It is quiet, tense, and masterfully underplayed—so much so that Roger Ebert called it the film’s best scene. De Niro doesn’t just play Sam — he embodies a man shaped by years of covert operations and cold decisions.
De Niro’s character in the movie plans every move, whether anticipating an ambush or strategizing an escape. He portrays his intelligence using sharp observation as he reads moods, easily identifies what’s fake, and notices when there’s a problem. He swiftly moves in and out of dangerous locations while influencing others. His relationship with Vincent (Jean Reno) appears authentic and is marked by respect and understanding. This goes a long way to enhance the film’s grounded and realistic portrayal of its characters.
‘Ronin’ Redefines Action By Rooting It in Unforgettable Reality
Ronin uses action to drive the story, but the great thing is that it kept things realistic. Director John Frankenheimer welcomes practical effects and dirty textures, and the movie has a gritty, high-wire tension. Then, cinematographer Robert Fraisse helps with that by using crisp, kinetic shots that make each scene feel tight and unpredictable. The action never feels like a choreographed stunt show, it’s more like you’re right in the middle of something dangerous and real.
The chase scene is particularly iconic and is regularly named as one of the best ever put on film, not just for the thrills but for the sense of realism. Frankenheimer used professional stunt drivers and avoided CGI, and because of that, the whole sequence has a sense of weight and speed that’s hard to match. It’s fast, grimy, and impossible to look away from.
‘Ronin’ was Too Subtle For The Spotlight and Too Good to Be Forgotten
Today, Ronin has often been considered one of the best movies of 1998. It gained a cult following over time despite being underappreciated when first released. The film reaffirmed Frankenheimer’s legacy as a master director, with critics praising its exploration of loyalty and identity. Much of Ronin’s lack of recognition came from being overshadowed by several more punchy films released around the same time. The year 1998 marked a breakthrough in Hollywood with the release of Titanic, Armageddon, There’s Something About Mary, and Saving Private Ryan — the highest-earning movies of the year.
One of Ronin’s biggest competitors at the time was Blade, an action thriller movie released barely a month earlier. The film made $131.2 million against a $45 million budget at the box office, while Ronin made $70.7 million against its $55 million budget. Ronin’s failure to become instantly successful at the time can be attributed to its emphasis on character over spectacle. The movie may have been overshadowed in 1998, but it has aged gracefully. In an era where high-gloss CGI action is common, Ronin relied on human abilities to create some of its intricacies.
Want to watch Robert De Niro in action? Ronin is currently streaming on Prime Video.
