Julian Cheah revives golden age spy glamour in spy thriller "Killmaster"

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Julian Cheah revives golden age spy glamour in spy thriller "Killmaster"

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Writer: Ann Tan

"Killmaster" channels Roger Moore-era Bond sophistication

12 Sep - Malaysian filmmaker Julian Cheah is bringing back the glamour and sophistication of classic spy cinema with his latest production, "Killmaster" - a stylish espionage thriller filmed on the breathtaking island of Ibiza, Spain.

"Killmaster" follows the journey of Alex Wong, an elite Asian secret agent whose codename reflects his lethal precision in eliminating terrorists and threats to the civilised world. When Wong is assigned to dismantle a dangerous criminal network, his mission leads him from Asia to the sun-soaked coastlines of Spain, where he must confront the organisation's leadership.

Julian Cheah as Alex Wong/Killmaster

"Killmaster" is set in Ibiza, Spain

What sets "Killmaster" apart from contemporary action films is its deliberate embrace of classical spy movie aesthetics as a loving homage to the Roger Moore-era James Bond films of the late 1970s, prioritising elegance and sophistication over the gritty, violent approach that dominates modern cinema screens.

"The motive was to capture the elegance of the Roger Moore-James Bond films of the late 1970s, and to bring back that past glamour to the present day as a change to the violent and gritty movies that pervade the cinema and streaming screens today," explains the filmmaker.

The production team meticulously scouted Ibiza for the most elegant locations, and elegant wardrobe choices were chosen to try to capture the same style as classic films like Cary Grant and Grace Kelly's "To Catch a Thief" - like the romantic scene of a man in a black tie tuxedo and a woman in an elegant evening gown charming and bewitching each other at night in the midst of colourful fireworks in the sky, which is redone here in "Killmaster" movie between the actors Julian Cheah and Monica de Caro.

Scenes from "Killmaster"

"Killmaster" positions itself as an alternative form of entertainment for audiences yearning for the grace and enchantment of earlier spy films. By combining mild action sequences - deliberately crafted to avoid excessive violence - with stunning visuals and sophisticated storytelling, the film aims to appeal to viewers across generations.

Complementing the visual grandeur is a musical soundtrack created to pay tribute to the legendary John Barry, composer of many classic Bond themes.

"Killmaster" features a cast led by Julian Cheah as Alex Wong/Killmaster and Monica de Caro as Catalina Rodriguez. The supporting cast includes Himanshu Bhatt, Jayaram Menon, Zack Aminuddin and Peter da Silva, among others.

The movie opens 25 September in Malaysian cinemas. Click here to check the show times.

Cinema Online, 12 September 2025