The Art of Self-Defense

R

Released Jul 19, 2019

1h 44m

Comedy

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List

83%

171 Reviews

Tomatometer

63%

500+ Verified Ratings

Audience Score

After getting attacked on the street, Casey enlists in a local dojo that's led by a charismatic and mysterious sensei. He soon uncovers a sinister fraternity of violence and masculinity while learning how to defend himself. Casey must now embark on a dark and frightening journey that places him squarely in the sights of his enigmatic new mentor.

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Critics Consensus

The Art of Self-Defense grapples compellingly with modern American masculinity -- and serves as an outstanding calling card for writer-director Riley Stearns.

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Jeff B

It was 90% dark and 10% comedy.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/06/19

Full Review

Daniel L

Jesse Eisenberg + dark comedy = Money! Great movie, I loved it!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/22/19

Full Review

Michael

Dark comedy sums it up well.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/02/19

Full Review

wendi d

Great action, humor!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/02/19

Full Review

George

One of the best movies of summer 2019

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/01/19

Full Review

Angel D

This is a very different good time at the movies. It has a Napoleon Dynamite feel to it. With more violence. It is an aquired comedy, but it is brutally funny, at times.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/01/19

Full Review

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Riley Stearns

Director

Jesse Eisenberg

Casey

Alessandro Nivola

Sensei

Imogen Poots

Anna

Steve Terada

Thomas

David Zellner

Henry

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The Art of Self-Defense: Movie Clip - Sensei

0:53

The Art of Self-Defense: Movie Clip - Grand Master

0:51

The Art of Self-Defense: Movie Clip - Really Glad You're Here

0:39

The Art of Self-Defense: Movie Clip - Special Belts

1:25

The Art of Self-Defense: Movie Clip - You Came to the Right Place

0:59

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The Art of Self-Defense: Trailer 1

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The Art of Self-Defense: Teaser Trailer 1

1:09

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Alexandra Heller-Nicholas

The Blue Lenses

The Art of Self-Defense is a razor-sharp parable about radicalization, masculinity and misogyny that avoids pompous, self-aggrandizing soapboxing in favour of empathy, humanity and compassion. All that, plus bonus dachshund.

Jul 24, 2019

Full Review

Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

Eisenberg is sensational.

Rated: 3/4

Jul 19, 2019

Full Review

Richard Roeper

Chicago Sun-Times

Bold but inconsistent, outrageous but not all that shocking, The Art of Self Defense never reaches its full potential, but lands more than enough punches to warrant our attention.

Rated: 3/4

Jul 19, 2019

Full Review

Ryan McQuade

InSession Film

It won’t be for everyone but this film is a heck of a ride and leaves you with a fun gut punch for an ending.

Apr 4, 2024

Full Review

Paul Kanieski

KSQD Community Radio

If you like your humor dark, dry and laced with biting social commentary, The Art of Self-Defense lands its blows with black-belt precision.

Jul 19, 2023

Full Review

M.N. Miller

Ready Steady Cut

The Art of Self-Defense is one of the very best dark comedies of the decade, if not the most relevant.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 20, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

After getting attacked on the street, Casey enlists in a local dojo that's led by a charismatic and mysterious sensei. He soon uncovers a sinister fraternity of violence and masculinity while learning how to defend himself. Casey must now embark on a dark and frightening journey that places him squarely in the sights of his enigmatic new mentor.

Director: Riley Stearns
Producer: Andrew Karpen, Munika Lay, Kent Sanderson, David Zellner, Nathan Zellner
Screenwriter: Riley Stearns
Distributor: Bleecker Street Media
Production Co: End Cue
Rating: R (Language|Graphic Nudity|Sexual Content|Violence)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 19, 2019, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 27, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.4M
Runtime: 1h 44m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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