Netflix fans obsessed with 'underrated' psychological thriller starring Hollywood icon

Netflix's hidden gem from 2021, featuring the talents of Hollywood star Woody Harrelson, has been receiving heaps of accolades from viewers.

The streaming giant's original flick is a riveting psychological thriller, titled Kate, which also showcases the acting prowess of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World star Mary Elizabeth Winstead.

A Facebook group by the name of Netflix Bangers, home to three million members seeking top-notch recommendations, saw one user post a snapshot from the movie with the caption: "Please review this film before I start watching."

Following the plea for opinions, numerous group members jumped into the comments to encourage the cinema buff to watch the film, heaping praise on the stellar performances, reports the Daily Record.

The plot summary for Kate, which features Miku Martineau and Michiel Huisman alongside the leads, states: "A jaded assassin assigned to target a yakuza clan has 24 hours to find out who poisoned her and get vengeance before she dies."

On Facebook, one enthusiast exclaimed: "I love this movie." While another echoed the sentiment, commenting: "Loved it, brilliant film."

"Such a good movie. Mary Winstead is amazing in this," chimed in a third admirer, as yet another member insisted that everyone "just has to" see Kate.

In this high-octane thriller, Kate (played by Winstead) is an assassin who, under the guidance of her mentor and handler (portrayed by Harrelson), is tasked with eliminating a top-tier yakuza leader all while racing against time after being poisoned.

Her quest for revenge propels her to arm herself with injectable stimulants and a firearm, setting off on a perilous journey where the stakes are life or death.

Kate, directed by Cedric Nicolas-Troyan of The Huntsman: Winter's War fame, is set predominantly in Japan and has garnered a fanbase on Facebook. Despite its popularity on the streaming platform, the film received a lukewarm reception upon its initial release.

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes gave it a modest 46% rating, with some dismissing it as "derivative". However, audiences were slightly more forgiving, awarding it a 52% score, while IMDb ratings settled at 6.2/10.

The top user review on IMDb described the film as a "Good looking, fast paced movie with good fight choreography and a simple story. Basically, a female John Wick".

The reviewer added: "If not for a little too much sentimentality and a plot twist you can see coming from the start I would have given it an even higher score."

They concluded with advice for potential viewers: "Keep your expectations low and your gratitude high and you'll enjoy this one."

Kate is available to stream now, exclusively on Netflix.