Ichi the Killer
User Score
8.5 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 36 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 36
  3. Negative: 2 out of 36

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  1. GoreW.
    Apr 21, 2005
    10
    Absolutely stunning. An awesome movie with the greatest voilence since cannibal holocaust.
  2. [Anonymous]
    Jun 7, 2004
    10
    Absolutely great!
  3. CharlesC.
    Apr 12, 2005
    9
    An unusual and unsuspecting surprize.
  4. KennethM.
    May 17, 2006
    10
    I felt that Ichi the Killer was a powerful poke at the consumption of slasher flicks (Like Saw [Came much later, I know, I know]) for the single purpose of self amusment, and on desensitization through film.
  5. KenyanM.
    May 18, 2006
    10
    this movie was excellent simply for the frantic filming style, and the transition from horror to comedy.
  6. ether
    Aug 10, 2008
    10
    Against the grain of consumed and consumeristic US flicks, Ichi the Killer is a distinguished film because of the very aspect of being against the grain of mainstream horror film: horror for horror sake, or even worse, horror for the sake of excess, no more. what may seem as excessive violence in Miike's film (the graphic scenes of slashing and cutting body parts) isn't gratuitous fright to put the viewers on edge. it is violence that delves deep into the darkest of the darks of human nature as defined by fear, nonsatisfactio, futility and the impossibility of achieving one's fullness. a fullness not defined by what brings humanity closer to its universally accepted good, but fullness as effect of total surrender to one's inner calling for complete surrender to the dark rather than the light of any utopian dimensions. a utopia of negative affirmation, if you will, where life ceases to be the unfolding progress that has so pinned modernity against barbarians and invaders. it's a progress of a different shape, color and smell: it is the progression of the purity of destruction, marred not by the human fusion of contradictions (sadomasochism), but the by the infinite singularity of the ultimate infliction -- sadism not qualified by any tinge of compromise.… Expand
  7. IchiThePacifist
    Jul 1, 2005
    9
    Tadanobu Asano--Japan's current "IT" boy--converts this seemingly violent gore-fest-for-the-sake of a gore-fest into a fascinating S&M flick. Asano's quest throughout the movie turns this psychotic-killer/mayhem narrative into a quest narrative--and despite myself, I found myself wanting Asano to "meet his match"--NOT for some moral vindication but because Asano so convincingly demonstrates what he needs in order to live. This movie is not for the faint-hearted. If you are used to stylized violence from Hollywood movies, sit down to watch this movie with a barf bag ready. The violence is relentless and brutal. There are extremely disturbing rape scenes, mutilations, torture, and murder. If you can stomach all that--watch the movie, really, for its heart. There is one, I promise, however bruised and dripping in blood it may be.… Expand
  8. JonC.
    Aug 1, 2005
    10
    Wow this was the first takashi miike movie i saw and after watching this movie i started to grasp his visual flare on movie-making. this movie, along with several other of his such as, gozu, audition, deadly outlaw rekka are the greatest weird japanese movies made. takashi miike is and will be at the top of my list for directors for a long time!!! buy this movie now or suffer from not seeing grade A japanese horror.… Expand
  9. AndrewS.
    Nov 10, 2006
    10
    Miike's masterpiece... you could tell he really enjoyed making this.
  10. SavenQ.
    Jan 10, 2009
    10
    One of Takashi Miike's best. Styilsh, colorful, violent, funny and different.
  11. Mr.Gray
    Aug 12, 2005
    10
    I love Ichi the killer.
  12. A.J.S.
    Jan 25, 2006
    9
    Obviously don't see this movie if you can't stand to watch a gory movie. And if you do not like gory movies and watch it anyway then don't write a bad review because it is gory. We know. Other than that, this movie is extremely entertaining, with bizarre, twisted characters truly not fit for this world. The plot has numerous twists which can be confusing at times, and the end is especially mysterious. Miike's cinematography in this movie is quite good, creating a visually aggresive ambience. I thought it was great and everyone who enjoys gory movies should see it.… Collapse
  13. Fireside
    May 3, 2011
    10
    In a world full of not good films, there exists a few films that are very good. This is one of those films. This is creativity for the sake of creativity. This is a celebration of hedonism and chaos.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
50 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Eric Campos
    60
    Takashi knows how to make a great, sleazy Yakuza film, but what I’m missing here is that sense of something brand new.
    Read full review
  2. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Elizabeth Weitzman
    38
    This time around, the cult director dispenses with the feminism, the satire, and even the issues, so he can concentrate on his true passion: the dissecting.
    Read full review
  3. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Dave Kehr
    50
    The direction occasionally rises to the level of marginal competence, but for most of the film it is hard to tell who is chasing who or why.
    Read full review
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