Assassin's Creed (2016)

The 2016 film *Assassin's Creed* brings the beloved video game franchise to the big screen, centering on a compelling dual-timeline narrative. Through unlocked genetic memories, modern-day protagonist Callum Lynch (Michael Fassbender) is able to relive the adventures of his 15th-century Spanish ancestor, Aguilar de Nerha. This journey into his past reveals he is a descendant of the secret 'Assassins' society, a clandestine order dedicated to free will. After gaining incredible knowledge and skills from these ancestral experiences, Lynch is now poised to take on their ancient adversaries, the oppressive Knights Templar, in the present day, battling for the future of humanity. Despite its mixed critical reception, *Assassin's Creed* earns its place on a list of Justin Kurzel's best due to his unmistakable directorial imprint. Kurzel imbues the film with the same grim, visceral intensity and striking visual flair seen in his previous collaborations with stars Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard, notably *Macbeth*. He elevates the often-maligned video game adaptation genre through breathtaking, operatic action sequences set against stunningly bleak historical backdrops. While perhaps not a commercial juggernaut, the film’s commitment to a distinct artistic vision, its ambitious and often brutal choreography, and its exploration of ancestral trauma through a uniquely Kurzel lens make it a compelling, if divisive, entry in his distinctive filmography, showcasing his ability to craft memorable, albeit dark, cinematic experiences.