Black Rain

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2:18

Black Rain

R

1989

2h 5m

Crime

Drama

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

52%

Tomatometer

25 Reviews

55%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

New York City policemen Nick (Michael Douglas) and Charlie (Andy Garcia) witness a murder in a bar and quickly apprehend the assailant. The killer, named Sato (Yusaku Matsuda), is a member of Japan's infamous Yakuza mob, and Nick and Charlie must transport the gangster back to Osaka for his murder trial. There, Sato's fellow gangsters free him from police custody, forcing Nick and Charlie to scour Japan's dangerous underworld of organized crime in search of their fugitive.

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Critics Consensus

Black Rain has its fair share of Ridley Scott's directorial flair, but its paint-by-numbers story never rises above genre conventions.

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Joe Clay

The Times (UK)

It’s full of cultural clichés and implausible plot twists, but Scott’s vision of modern-day Osaka as a glittering, futuristic metropolis is dazzling.

Dec 14, 2022

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Even given all of its inconsistencies, implausibilities and recycled cliches, "Black Rain" might have been entertaining if the filmmakers had found the right note for the material.

Rated: 2/4

Aug 1, 2001

Full Review

Joshua Mooney

Movieline

This cop action-thriller is the epitome of style without substance.

Sep 16, 2025

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Analyzing it would be like giving a lobotomy to a pea. But as the waiter or chef would say, eat in silence. [Full review in Spanish]

Jul 11, 2022

Full Review

Peter Bowen

OutWeek

A rather xenophobic tale of American cops fighting Japanese crime.

May 19, 2020

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Considering the caliber of talent, in front and behind the camera, Ridley Scott's violent cop thriller should have been more engaging and compelling

Rated: C

Apr 7, 2012

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Massimo B

Gripping, engaging, and entertaining. This movie delivers in scenic Japan. Michael Douglas and Andy Garcia bring powerhouse performances in this thriller. Highly recommended

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/15/25

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Frazer H

Excellent movie, tight action, shows how confused an American is in Japan. sure it's a classic cops and robbers story. The old American Cop (Micheal Douglas) is badly compromised but still determined to get a good result. Andy Gracia the young cop is still learning the ropes. There is some quick cultural points briefly visited about Japanese culture and the mob. The photography is sublime often dark and raining Japan. Anyone how can't see that this film is a great classic is probably thinking about the clear demonstration of the corruption of the culture of the USA Vs Japan.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/07/25

Full Review

thiago s

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/15/25

Full Review

mark g

How do you make a running string of cliches in to a movie? Tell Douglas and Garcia to over act. Surely that will cover for the weak script. Ugh, weak film, all shine, zero substance.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

08/07/25

Full Review

Ed B

It’s a gritty movie with an antihero as the lead. It was cool to see Osaka in the 80’s, but the lead characters were quite rude and intense about it all. The romantic element makes no sense. I wouldn’t watch it again.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/26/25

Full Review

Chris W

Again, critics must have agendas they are paid to follow. This remains one of my favorite films. All of the acting, from the leads to the bit players is outstanding. Cinematography/score create an excellent canvas for this excellent story.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/03/25

Full Review

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Ridley Scott

Director

Michael Douglas

Det. Sgt. Nick Conklin

Andy Garcia

Det. Charlie Vincent

Ken Takakura

Asst. Insp. Masahiro Matsumoto

Kate Capshaw

Joyce

Yusaku Matsuda

Sato

Black Rain: Official Clip - Did You Take Money?

2:12

Black Rain: Official Clip - Yakuza Police Raid

2:05

Black Rain: Official Clip - Kendo Confrontation

2:01

Black Rain: Official Clip - Arresting Sato

1:47

Black Rain: Official Clip - Motorcycle Decapitation

1:52

Black Rain: Official Clip - Yakuza Hideout Gunfight

1:14

Black Rain: Official Clip - Airport Trickery

2:02

Black Rain: Official Clip - Motorcycle Chase

2:04

Black Rain: Official Clip - New York Motorcycle Race

1:44

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Black Rain: Trailer 1

2:18

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Synopsis

New York City policemen Nick (Michael Douglas) and Charlie (Andy Garcia) witness a murder in a bar and quickly apprehend the assailant. The killer, named Sato (Yusaku Matsuda), is a member of Japan's infamous Yakuza mob, and Nick and Charlie must transport the gangster back to Osaka for his murder trial. There, Sato's fellow gangsters free him from police custody, forcing Nick and Charlie to scour Japan's dangerous underworld of organized crime in search of their fugitive.

Director: Ridley Scott
Producer: Stanley R. Jaffe, Sherry Lansing
Screenwriter: Craig Bolotin, Warren Lewis
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Pegasus Film Partners
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 22, 1989, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 11, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $44.9M
Runtime: 2h 5m
Sound Mix: Surround, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track, Dolby SR, Stereo
Aspect Ratio: 35mm

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