Ronin, released in 1998, is a critically acclaimed action thriller directed by John Frankenheimer and starring Robert De Niro, Jean Reno, Natascha McElhone, Stellan Skarsgård, and Sean Bean. The film's plot revolves around a group of ex-special operatives who are hired by an Irish woman named Deirdre (McElhone) to retrieve a mysterious briefcase that is being sought after by both Irish terrorists and the Russian mafia.
The team of "ronin" is made up of mercenaries from different countries and backgrounds, including Sam (De Niro), a former CIA operative who has lost his sense of purpose after the end of the Cold War; Vincent (Reno), a Frenchman with a calm demeanor and impressive marksmanship; Gregor (Skarsgård), a Russian electronics expert; and Larry (Bean), an Englishman with a violent temper.
As the team sets out to retrieve the briefcase, they face unforeseen challenges and betrayals. The group suspects that Deirdre is not being entirely truthful about the contents of the briefcase and that more parties are after it than they were initially led to believe. The ronin also face opposition from another group of mercenaries who are also after the briefcase, led by an American (played by Michael Lonsdale).
The film features intense car chases through the streets of Paris, action-packed shootouts, and a tense showdown between members of the opposing mercenary groups. The movie's final scenes reveal the true contents of the briefcase and the motivations of the characters involved.
Ronin is hailed for its intense action sequences, intricate storytelling, and outstanding performances from the ensemble cast. The film has become a cult classic in the action genre and is widely regarded as one of the best action thrillers of all time.