We Are X

R

Released Oct 21, 2016

1h 33m

Documentary

Music

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for

List

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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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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Judy Berman

Pitchfork

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.

Sep 21, 2017

Full Review

Tom Huddleston

Time Out

Good anecdotes - but the film's willingness to indulge the band's rampant self-mythologising can get tiresome.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 27, 2017

Full Review

Andrew Pulver

Guardian

Watchable and interesting - if a tad worshipful ...

Rated: 3/5

Feb 24, 2017

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Kathy Fennessy

Seattle Film Blog

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.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 7, 2022

Full Review

Kelechi Ehenulo

Confessions From A Geek Mind

Because of its informative avenues, We Are X becomes a fascinating documentary that will appeal to any music fan.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jul 15, 2020

Full Review

Erin Blackwell

Bay Area Reporter

Fascinating for Japanophiles.

Jun 9, 2020

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Georgan G

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.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

07/29/23

Full Review

Jonathan V

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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".

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The best movie ever. I could know about X and X JAPAN.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Was good, great music, interesting story

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

Full Review

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Stephen Kijak

Director

Yoshiki

Self

Toshi

Self

Pata

Self

Heath

Self

Sugizo

Self

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We Are X: Trailer 1

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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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