Memory of a Killer Review: Patrick Dempsey’s Hitman Thriller Keeps You on Edge

Patrick Dempsey steps into darker territory with Memory of a Killer, delivering a gripping performance as a seasoned contract killer whose greatest enemy isn’t law enforcement — it’s his own fading mind.

This intense new thriller uses memory loss as its driving force, placing viewers in a constant state of unease. Through sharp visual contrasts, powerful performances, and a mystery that keeps tightening its grip, Memory of a Killer becomes far more than just another hitman series.

It’s a psychological rollercoaster that blends action, paranoia, and emotional depth into one unforgettable ride.

A Hitman Living Two Completely Different Lives

At the center of the story is Angelo, played with cool precision by Dempsey. He’s a veteran assassin working for his well-connected friend Dutch, portrayed by The Sopranos legend Michael Imperioli.

But the series doesn’t introduce Angelo through gunfire or crime scenes.

Instead, we meet him in his personal life — as a quiet, unassuming man who, as far as his pregnant daughter Maria knows, sells photocopiers for a living.

This double life is one of the show’s biggest strengths.

The suburban world Angelo shares with Maria feels safe, ordinary, and warm. He wears simple clothes, drives a sensible car, and even drops her off at the school where she teaches. Everything about him screams “normal dad.”

Then the switch happens.

Visual Storytelling That Separates Angelo’s Worlds

When Angelo transitions into assassin mode, Memory of a Killer makes sure you feel it.

The show takes its time showing him pull into an abandoned garage, ditch his everyday clothes, and step into a sleek black designer suit. His silver sedan is replaced with a black Porsche as he heads into New York City.

Suddenly, skyscrapers dominate the screen. The stakes feel higher. The tone shifts instantly.

These visual contrasts do a ton of storytelling work, making it clear just how carefully Angelo has kept his two lives separate — at least until now.

Action That Feels Raw and Earned

This isn’t a show where the hitman casually wipes out enemies without breaking a sweat.

The action scenes are intense, physical, and messy in the best way possible.

Early on, Angelo takes out an Asian crime boss in a sequence that includes a dynamic fight scene showing just how dangerous his work really is. It’s rarely an easy kill — but Angelo’s skill always gets him through.

At first, everything seems business as usual.

But then the cracks begin to form.

Memory Loss Turns Everything Into a Ticking Time Bomb

Angelo’s memory problems start small.

He forgets the code to his apartment.

Leaves his bag outside his door.

Misses little details about his daughter’s life.

But those small slips quickly snowball.

Soon, his two worlds start bleeding into each other.

In episode two, he accidentally leaves a jacket at Maria’s house — a jacket that contains clues about his secret life. At the same time, mysterious figures begin targeting his family, seemingly seeking revenge for a past hit ordered by Dutch.

Things get even more personal when Maria becomes the victim of a shooting.

To make matters worse, the man who murdered Angelo’s wife is released from prison the very same week.

Suddenly, it feels like Angelo is under attack from every direction.

A Thriller That Keeps You Paranoid Alongside the Main Character

One of the smartest choices the show makes is sticking closely to Angelo’s perspective.

From the very first scene — a conversation between Angelo, Maria, and her partner Jeff — the focus is on what Angelo remembers and what he forgets. Appointments slip his mind. Details blur together.

The audience is left wondering:

How long has this been happening?

Because we only know what Angelo knows, it becomes harder to tell what’s missing.

The editing plays a huge role in this.

When Angelo forgets his jacket, we never see him walk out without it. Instead, we discover it at the same time Jeff does. The viewer experiences the same confusion Angelo feels.

In other moments, scenes jump ahead in ways that feel disorienting.

During his first assassination, Angelo approaches a window empty-handed — then suddenly has a sniper rifle fully set up. Later, after a brutal fight, he shows up at Maria’s doctor appointment with a deep cut on his neck that we never saw happen.

Clever Storytelling or Confusing Editing?

These moments can be read in two ways.

On one hand, it might feel like sloppy storytelling — introducing new details without proper setup.

On the other hand, it can be seen as intentional.

We’re seeing what Angelo sees.

If he doesn’t remember setting up the sniper rifle or getting injured, neither do we.

That interpretation fits perfectly with the show’s themes, even if it occasionally leaves viewers unsure of what’s deliberate and what’s accidental.

Interestingly, these scenes don’t include the hazy visuals used elsewhere to show memory struggles, which makes them feel more like errors than artistic choices.

But even if they are mistakes, they oddly work in the show’s favor.

They reinforce the core idea: memory can’t be trusted.

Patrick Dempsey and Michael Imperioli Steal the Show

Whenever two powerful characters share the screen in a world built on hierarchy and control, magic tends to happen.

Think Tywin Lannister facing off against Olenna Tyrell in Game of Thrones.

Or the legendary diner scene between Al Pacino and Robert De Niro in Heat.

Memory of a Killer has its own version of that spark — in the scenes between Angelo and Dutch.

Dempsey plays Angelo as calm, polite, and almost soothing. Even during high-speed chases and life-or-death moments, he barely flinches, showing just how experienced he is.

But when he’s with Dutch, something changes.

His body language relaxes. There’s warmth. A sense of equality that clashes with their boss-worker dynamic.

Imperioli, meanwhile, brings echoes of his Sopranos days.

As a restaurant owner, Dutch operates in his own kingdom. His sharp eyes and confident posture make it clear he’s always calculating every situation.

Yet when Angelo’s around, the tough exterior softens.

They laugh. They joke. They feel like genuine old friends.

One standout moment in episode two involves Angelo accidentally ruining Dutch’s surprise party — followed by a hilarious scene of Dutch practicing different “surprised” faces while Angelo critiques them.

It’s charming, funny, and shows the incredible chemistry between the two actors.

When these characters clash, it feels more dangerous than any gunfight.

Losing Dutch’s trust might be the biggest threat Angelo faces.

Final Verdict – A Standout Action Thriller With Heart

Overall, Memory of a Killer is incredibly hard to fault.

Yes, some of the editing choices feel ambiguous and occasionally confusing. But those moments are rare and easy to move past — especially when weighed against everything the show does right.

Patrick Dempsey delivers one of his strongest performances yet, perfectly balancing the calm professionalism of a hitman with the vulnerability of a man slowly losing control of his mind.

The plot constantly twists, the action feels grounded and intense, and the emotional stakes keep rising with every episode.

In the end, Memory of a Killer isn’t just another assassin story.

It’s a smart, suspenseful thriller about identity, memory, and the fragile line between the lives we live and the secrets we hide.

If you’re looking for a fresh take on the hitman genre with strong performances, gripping tension, and real emotional depth, this one is absolutely worth watching.