Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai

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Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai

R

Released May 18, 1999

1h 56m

Crime

Drama

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Popcornmeter

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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Critics Consensus

An innovative blend of samurai and gangster lifestyles.

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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

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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

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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

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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

Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai: Official Clip - Cold Lampin' with Flavor

3:20

Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai: Official Clip - Final Shootout

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Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai: Official Clip - I'm Your Retainer

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Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai: Official Clip - Should I Shoot Him?

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Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai: Official Clip - The Bird Man

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Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai: Official Clip - Bear Hunters

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Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai: Official Clip - Self Defense

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Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai: Official Clip - The Way of the Samurai

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Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai: Official Clip - I Follow a Code

2:05

Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai: Official Clip - You Want My Rolex?

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Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai: Trailer 1

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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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