The Killer (1989): Beyond the Bullet Ballet - A Morality Play?

Okay, so I've been rewatching John Woo's The Killer (1989) again, and I'm starting to think it's more than just stylish gunfights and slow-motion doves (though, let's be real, those are fantastic). I'm increasingly convinced that it's operating on a deeper level, almost as a kind of warped morality play. Hear me out. We have Jeffrey, the titular killer, who, as far as assassins go, is practically a saint. He genuinely regrets blinding Jennie, and the entire film is driven by his need to atone for that. He takes the final hit solely to pay for her eye surgery. This isn't some cold-blooded professional; he's practically crippled by guilt and a weird sense of honor. And then you have Inspector Li, who is similarly obsessed with justice, albeit from the other side of the law. Their parallel drives and increasing, almost reluctant, respect for each other creates a compelling tension that goes beyond simply 'cop vs. robber.' It's like they're both striving for the same ideal – a certain kind of righteousness or order – but are tragically forced into opposition by circumstance. What really sells me on the morality play angle is the film's ending. The excessive violence, the almost operatic bloodshed...it's not just gratuitous. It's a visual representation of the moral cost of their choices. Everyone suffers, good guys and bad guys alike. Even without understanding the finer points of Chinese honour culture, there's a palpable sense of sacrifice and consequence that elevates it beyond typical action fare. The church setting, with all the statues and religious imagery - not a coincidence. Of course, Woo doesn't exactly hit you over the head with the symbolism (thankfully). It's subtle, woven into the action and the characters' motivations. But I think it's there, lurking beneath the surface of the mayhem. What do you guys think? Am I reading too much into it, or is The Killer secretly a complex meditation on morality and redemption? Perhaps something in between. I'd love to hear some other takes - even those that tell me I'm completely off-base! Maybe I should revisit Hard Boiled next to compare / contrast. Hmmm...