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Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai

Play trailer 1:02 Poster for Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai R Released May 18, 1999 1h 56m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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84% Tomatometer 106 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Ghost Dog (Forest Whitaker) is a contract killer, a master of his trade who can whirl a gun at warp speed and moves through this world like a phantom -- stealthy and evanescent. In the spirit of the samurai, he has pledged his loyalty to a small time mobster named Louie (John Tormey) who saved his life many years before.
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Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai

Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai

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Critics Consensus

An innovative blend of samurai and gangster lifestyles.

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Critics Reviews

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Anton Bitel Little White Lies what might sound like an ordinary gangster picture is in fact a rich amalgam of crisscrossing genres, where East meets West and culture itself follows more than one Way. Nov 17, 2023 Full Review Kambole Campbell One Room With A View Even when aware of all the strange, disparate elements, it still surprises. Aug 25, 2018 Full Review Geoff Andrew Time Out At once a tribute to traditional notions of honour, loyalty, friendship and professionalism, and a stylish, ironic pastiche inspired by the likes of Melville and Suzuki, it's very funny, insightful, and highly original. Jun 24, 2006 Full Review Yasser Medina Cinefilia Jarmusch, with his aesthetic density, manages to direct it with a balance that never loses its sense of irony when it questions the various cultural stereotypes that build his dialectical discourse on the master and the vassal. [Full review in Spanish] Rated: 7/10 Aug 5, 2024 Full Review Jack Gross Loud and Clear Reviews Its tone is elusive, existing somewhere between nostalgic, melancholic, resigned, and optimistic. Above all else, though, it’s truly unlike any film you’ve seen before, operating as a functional pastiche of so many great works of art. Rated: 5/5 Aug 3, 2024 Full Review Farah Cheded A Good Movie To Watch It almost feels like we’re in another world: Jarmusch [blurs] out everything else so the movie becomes a meditation on the impulse to moralize one’s misdoings by subscribing to rigid definitions of “honor.” [...] A bone-deep reflective masterpiece. Nov 25, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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A.L.Jude P Heading nowhere like an european movie. What does the protagonist wants to say ? Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 08/10/25 Full Review Austin H This movie showed a mix of many ideas and cultures (hood/ Italian mafia/ samurai). Ghost follows his own unique rules and lifestyle, and is very in touch with himself. The movie is also packed with symbolism from beginning to end. It’s abstract, take what you want from the movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/12/25 Full Review Phil T Super slow, kind of interesting and quirky but really cant recommend Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 06/23/25 Full Review Samuel E Worst movie I've seen in years, do not watch. Save your time. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 02/02/25 Full Review Josh L Simply superb. The devil is in the details of this film. Sure, the story is good enough to stand on its own. But the performances coupled with cinematography and soundtrack put this one over the top. Don't let this one languish on your watchlist! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/20/25 Full Review alan g Forrest Shittaker a samurai warrior? That fat pos? Please. Defies logic. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 11/27/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai

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Cast & Crew

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Jim Jarmusch

Director

Forest Whitaker

Ghost Dog

John Tormey

Louie

Cliff Gorman

Sonny Valerio

Henry Silva

Ray Vargo

Isaach de Bankolé

Raymond

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Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai

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Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai

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Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai

Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999) Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999) Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999) Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Ghost Dog (Forest Whitaker) is a contract killer, a master of his trade who can whirl a gun at warp speed and moves through this world like a phantom -- stealthy and evanescent. In the spirit of the samurai, he has pledged his loyalty to a small time mobster named Louie (John Tormey) who saved his life many years before.
Director
Jim Jarmusch
Producer
Richard Guay, Jim Jarmusch
Screenwriter
Jim Jarmusch
Distributor
Artisan Entertainment
Production Co
Pandora Filmproduktion GmbH, Le Studio Canal +, Bac Films, JVC Entertainment, Degeto Film, Plywood Productions
Rating
R (Strong Violence|Language)
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 18, 1999, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 12, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$3.3M
Runtime
1h 56m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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