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We Are X

Play trailer 2:23 Poster for We Are X R 2016 1h 33m Documentary Music Play Trailer Watchlist
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83% Tomatometer 29 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Glam rock band X Japan ignited a musical revolution in Japan during the late 1980s. Twenty years after disbanding, Yoshiki, the leader of the band, wrestles with physical and spiritual demons to bring the band's music to the world.
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We Are X

We Are X

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Critics Consensus

Praise be, We are X has enough power to make you a fan of one of Japan's most fascinating bands.

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Critics Reviews

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Judy Berman Pitchfork 09/21/2017
What drives [director Stephen] Kijak's film, and adds a universal dimension to a singular band's narrative, is the drama inherent in a group of strong personalities who live for music attempting to create and perform it together. Go to Full Review Tom Huddleston Time Out 02/27/2017
3/5
Good anecdotes - but the film's willingness to indulge the band's rampant self-mythologising can get tiresome. Go to Full Review Andrew Pulver Guardian 02/24/2017
3/5
Watchable and interesting - if a tad worshipful ... Go to Full Review Kathy Fennessy Seattle Film Blog 10/07/2022
3/4
If [Stephen] Kijak's documentary hits a few familiar beats along the way, it's hard not to be moved by emotional footage of fans across the world finding solace and support in the absolutely unstoppable Yoshiki's life's work. Go to Full Review Kelechi Ehenulo Confessions From A Geek Mind 07/15/2020
3.5/5
Because of its informative avenues, We Are X becomes a fascinating documentary that will appeal to any music fan. Go to Full Review Erin Blackwell Bay Area Reporter 06/09/2020
Fascinating for Japanophiles. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Georgan G 07/29/2023 I enjoyed the music of X Japan. But this documentary left me confused. Can understand why the band would like to be known world-wide. But why all the melodrama? The subtitles couldn't keep up with the Japanese which made it harder to follow. See more Jonathan V 05/16/2023 Gran documentar de las leyendas vivientes, X Japan es mi banda favorita de todos los tiempo, si lees esto favor darle una oportunidad y escuchar su música, no se arrepentirán See more 08/04/2020 Admittedly I've only recently become a fan of X Japan but having binged on their music and concert videos for months I looked up this film, hoping to learn more about the band. I am glad I watched it. Learning more about drummer and band leader Yoshiki's background gives a greater insight into his song writing. It was also interesting to learn about his shared history and at times strained relationship with vocalist Toshi. It's just a shame that the documentary seemed to focus almost entirely on Yoshiki, almost placing him on an alter for worship. Aside from the above, the film briefly covered the tragic death of lead guitarist Hide (and, even more briefly, bassist Taiji) but again it was very much from Yoshiki's perspective and how it impacted him. Guitarist Pata and bassist Heath, with the band from the start and 1992 respectively, barely get a look in. The decision for Sugizo to join as the sixth member in 2009, and his effort to honour Hide's style of playing, isn't mentioned at all. A more accurate title would have been "I Am Yoshiki". See more 02/23/2020 I went with 2 stars with this music docu. movie. I just got into this band I thought that this was a good music docu. movie to watch if you are new to the band, or been a fan forever. I learned more about the band and their history, very packed with info and a sad story about the band and their lives/band etc... I only watched this music docu. movie once, but I'd watch it again very interesting and lots of emotion. See more 06/16/2019 The best movie ever. I could know about X and X JAPAN. See more 02/18/2019 Was good, great music, interesting story See more Read all reviews
We Are X

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Cast & Crew

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Stephen Kijak

Director

Yoshiki

Self

Toshi

Self

Pata

Self

Heath

Self

Sugizo

Self

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We Are X

We Are X: Trailer 1 We Are X: Trailer 1 2:23 View more videos
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We Are X

Photo Credit: Courtesy of We Are X Film Photo Credit: Courtesy of We Are X Film Photo Credit: Courtesy of We Are X Film Photo Credit: Courtesy of We Are X Film We Are X (2016) We Are X (2016) A scene from "We Are X." A scene from "We Are X." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Glam rock band X Japan ignited a musical revolution in Japan during the late 1980s. Twenty years after disbanding, Yoshiki, the leader of the band, wrestles with physical and spiritual demons to bring the band's music to the world.
Director
Stephen Kijak
Producer
John Battsek, Diane Becker, Jonathan McHugh, Jonathan Platt
Distributor
Drafthouse Films
Production Co
Passion Pictures
Rating
R (Some Language)
Genre
Documentary, Music
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 21, 2016, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 25, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$43.7K
Runtime
1h 33m
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