Le Samouraï (1967)

Impassive hitman Jef Costello lives in a single-room Paris apartment whose spartan furnishings include a small bird in a cage. Costello’s methodical modus operandi involves creating airtight alibis, including ones provided by his lover, Jane. After carrying out a contract on a nightclub owner, Jef is seen leaving the club by several witnesses, including the club’s piano player Valérie, but their testimonies are contradictory. After rounding up numerous suspects, including Jef, the superintendent firmly believes Costello is the culprit.

Costello loses a police tail and to go collect his fee from an intermediary sent by his employers, but the man shoots and wounds Costello. Costello realizes that the police investigation has compromised him with his employers. After treating his wound, Costello returns to the nightclub and meets Valérie, who drives him to her home. Though he is grateful, he wonders why she lied to the police when she clearly saw him after the murder.