The Jackal (1997) - 23 questions

Question: Why did the Jackal shoot only one bullet through the sofa?

Question: Why has Koslova got two bullet wounds on her abdomen? The Jackal only shot her once.

Question: What did The Jackal put on his hands during his ambush at Isabella's house? They are darker.

Question: Why didn't Koslova try to fight while the Jackal is talking to her?

Answer: Because she's dying, in shock, losing blood, and in pain.

Question: When The Jackal said to Koslova that she has been hit in the liver he said that her blood was almost black. Why is her blood black coloured?

Answer: Because the blood was coming from her liver, meaning it was punctured by the bullet, allowing bile and other fluids to mix with the blood.

Question: Did The Jackal let Koslova die slowly in punishment for trying to kill him at the pier?

Answer: It's not known why he let her die more slowly.

Question: Why Major Koslova seem relaxed after the jackal press her hand in the wound?

Answer: Because she's dying and she knows it.

Question: When The Jackal ambushes Whiterspoon and Koslova, why he doesn't kill her first?

Answer: He seems intent on making her death slow and painful. He could not do that with the other agents still alive.

Question: Did The Jackal enjoy Koslova's moans of pain?

Answer: Because he is sadistic and enjoys watching her suffer.

Question: Why does Major Koslova's hair look longer after she is shot by The Jackal?

Answer: Either this is just an illusion or it is possible that parts of this scene were shot at different intervals, allowing time for her hair to grow somewhat.

Question: Why does The Jackal looks sorry when he's telling Koslova that she will die in 20 minutes?

Answer: There's no way of knowing if he was sorry or not. He obviously is treating her differently than he does his other victims. It seems it has something to do with her being a woman, though just why he acts this way is never known.

Question: Why didn't Koslova look behind the sofa when entering the living room? And why did she shoot like a crazy person?

Answer: Basically she was somewhat sloppy. She was caught off guard by the unexpected turn of events.

Question: Why did The Jackal draw a heart on Koslova's cheek after shooting her?

Answer: It seems to be his way of noting her gender, and also belittling her. He may consider shooting a woman less significant than killing a man.

Question: Why did Major Koslova smile after telling The Jackal to remember her?

Answer: For one, she refuses to show fear or any other emotion that makes her look weak in the face of death. Also, she knows Mulqueen will be more determined to kill him, and she wants the Jackal to be thinking about that.

Question: Why did The Jackal dive his finger into Koslova's wound after shooting her?

Answer: To see how far the bullet penetrated.

Question: Why does Major Koslova always wear a shirt and a jacket throughout the movie?

Answer: She is a Russian agent and wears clothes that are professional, gender-neutral, and also functional while she's on a dangerous assignment. She may also not have brought many clothes with her, and she is not trying to impress anyone--she is only focused on having a serious job to do.

Question: After Major Koslova is shot by The Jackal, we see her clothes full of blood. How can she have lost so much blood in few seconds?

Answer: A variety of reasons: the type of bullet he used could have caused severe internal damage. He might also have hit an artery, causing more bleeding.

Question: Why did The Jackal put a pillow under Major Koslova's head after shooting her?

Answer: I believe it's to keep her head elevated, to keep the pain and swelling down.

Question: Why didn't Jackal execute Koslova after shooting her through the sofa ?

Answer: He needs her alive to deliver his message to Mulqueen about how he can't protect the women in his life. Executing her wouldn't achieve anything.

Question: Why did the Jackal pick up Douglas at the gay bar? How did that fit into his plan?

Answer: A couple of reasons. Douglas was a presidential aide, and could be giving Jackal information about the president and family's movements, even without meaning to. Secondly, he needed to be near DC to carry out the assassination attempt, and since the FBI et al were looking for him since they knew he had entered the States, having a place to live without having to go to a hotel where it is likely the staff would have been notified to be on the lookout for him gave him some anonymity.