Director John Woo is known for including unique shots of birds in slow motion scenes in many of his films. Woo’s latest action thriller “The Killer”, which is now available on the Peacock streaming service, continues this directorial signature. Actress Nathalie Emmanuel, who plays assassin Zee in the remake of Woo’s 1989 classic film, recently shared her experience working with live birds on set.

While computer generated imagery, or CGI, is commonly used today, Woo chose to use live birds for the shots. Emmanuel said the real birds performed well under the direction of experienced handlers. “The handlers really knew each bird’s personality and behavior,” said Emmanuel. On one occasion, a handler noticed a bird was in a bad mood and adjusted accordingly.

Working with live animals requires skill since their actions can’t be fully predicted. However, Emmanuel praised the handlers for their expertise in managing the birds and ensuring safe filming. For Emmanuel as a fan of Woo’s work, being part of his trademark bird scenes was exciting. During one slow motion scene walking with birds, Emmanuel realized she was experiencing a memorable moment recreating Woo’s signature visual style.

The film tells the story of assassin Zee, who only targets criminals in Paris. When a job leaves a singer injured, Zee must deal with the consequences. It also stars Omar Sy as a police inspector who allies with Zee. Over a decade in development, “The Killer” adds significantly to Woo’s filmography and expands streaming options. Viewers will appreciate the efforts behind Woo’s famous bird sequences when they watch his distinct storytelling and visual style in the new film.