The Tournament is a 2009 action-thriller film, directed by Scott Mann and written by Gary Young. It stars Robert Carlyle, Kelly Hu, Ving Rhames, and others.
The film is set in a small town in Britain, where every seven or ten years, a secret tournament takes place. The tournament brings together 30 of the world's deadliest assassins, who are selected from different countries and cultures. Each assassin is given a unique tracking device that keeps track of their movements and location.
During the tournament, the assassins are encouraged to hunt and kill each other in a death match. The last man standing receives the cash prize of $10 million and the title of world's number one. The prize money is put up by a secret society of wealthy individuals who bet on the tournament, making a fortune in the process.
The film follows the journeys of several assassins who are participating in the tournament. The primary focus is on Lai (Kelly Hu), a female assassin who is seeking revenge against her former handler, and Joshua Harlow (Robert Carlyle), a drunken, washed-up assassin who is pulled out of retirement to participate.
The tournament takes place over the course of 24 hours, and the assassins must navigate various obstacles and challenges, including heavily armed soldiers, law enforcement agencies, and uncooperative civilians. As the competition progresses, alliances are formed, loyalties are tested, and the body count rises.
The Tournament is a gritty, action-packed film that combines elements of suspense, drama, and black humor. The movie has gained a cult following among fans of the action-genre and has been praised for its inventive storyline, fast-paced action sequences, and strong performances from the cast.