Release Date
July 12, 2019 (Limited)
July 19, 2019
July 19, 2019
DVD Release Date
October 15, 2019 (Buy on Amazon)
Director
Riley Stearns
Writer
Riley Stearns
Cast
Jesse Eisenberg, Alessandro Nivola, Imogen Poots
Studio
Running Time
104 minutes
MPA Rating
Rated R for violence, sexual content, graphic nudity and language
A dark comedy set in the world of karate. The film centers on Casey (Jesse Eisenberg), who is attacked at random on the street and enlists in a local dojo led by a charismatic and mysterious Sensei (Alessandro Nivola), in an effort to learn how to defend himself. What he uncovers is a sinister world of fraternity, violence and hypermasculinity and a woman (Imogen Poots) fighting for her place in it. Casey undertakes a journey,... Full synopsis »
MOVIE REVIEW
Move over Yorgos Lanthimos, there’s a new wizard of dark, literal comedy. Riley Stearns’ second feature film, The Art of Self-Defense, is an utterly entertaining and sharply written dark comedy that draws you in and karate chops you upside the head. Full movie review »
