The first day of a new job is always the toughest, but the stakes are much higher in some professions than in others. That’s the idea behind the newest viral TikTok trend, the “hitman” challenge. The trend has users imagining themselves as would-be hitmen who haven’t quite gotten the hang of the whole “assassination” thing yet.
The hitman challenge is simple enough to perform. Set to the tune of “Reflections” by Tosifumi Hinata – which previously soundtracked the popular “Renaissance challenge” – users film themselves dropping make-believe “poison” into a target’s drink. After stirring the solution with their finger, the “killer” then licks their finger absently, not realizing their grave mistake until it’s too late.
While it’s not clear who started the trend and when, recent weeks have seen countless users posting their own takes to great viral success. User @brok3boiii, for example, has racked up 5.2 million likes for his first take on the challenge.
His follow-up videos have also gained plenty of attention on the platform – and inspired a wave of variations on the trend.
The Hitman Challenge Is Born
The hitman trend is unique among TikTok fads, which usually take the form of dance challenges or, unfortunately, dangerous dares. By providing users with a fictional scenario to act out, it also creates opportunities to expand on the narrative in all kinds of creative ways.
We have, for example, the hitman with an unfortunate – and deadly – case of the sniffles.
There’s also the case of the choking hitman who should’ve looked a little closer at the drink being offered to him.
Of course, no tale of espionage and deception would be complete without the attempted drink switcheroo.
And of course, we have the hitmen who probably should have looked into another profession entirely, based on the disasters they make of their first assignments.
Some of the best clips take the scenario as far as they can, weaving tales of intrigue with high production values and unexpected plot twists.
Those interested in finding more hitman challenge videos can find the accompanying sound, originally provided by user Natalie Pienkawa, here.