The Art of Self-Defense

Name: The Art of Self-Defense
Genre: Action, Drama, Sport, Mystery, Thriller
Released: July 12, 2019
Duration: 104 min
Rating: 65
Cast: Alessandro Nivola, Apollo Bacala, Caroline Amiguet, Dallas Edwards, David Zellner

2019

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 32 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 87 Ratings

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6.4

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6.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 87 Ratings

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The Art Of Self-Defense

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Movie Details & Credits

Bleecker Street Media | Release Date: July 12, 2019 | R

Starring: Alessandro Nivola, Apollo Bacala, Caroline Amiguet, Dallas Edwards, David Zellner, Hauke Bahr, Imogen Poots, Jason Burkey, Jesse Eisenberg, Josh Fadem, Justin Eaton, Leland Orser, Phillip Andre Botello, Steve Terada

Summary: After he’s attacked on the street at night by a roving motorcycle gang, timid bookkeeper Casey (Jesse Eisenberg) joins a neighborhood karate studio to learn how to protect himself. Under the watchful eye of a charismatic instructor, Sensei (Alessandro Nivola), and hardcore brown belt Anna (Imogen Poots), Casey gains a newfound sense ofAfter he’s attacked on the street at night by a roving motorcycle gang, timid bookkeeper Casey (Jesse Eisenberg) joins a neighborhood karate studio to learn how to protect himself. Under the watchful eye of a charismatic instructor, Sensei (Alessandro Nivola), and hardcore brown belt Anna (Imogen Poots), Casey gains a newfound sense of confidence for the first time in his life. But when he attends Sensei’s mysterious night classes, he discovers a sinister world of fraternity, brutality and hyper-masculinity, presenting a journey that places him squarely in the sights of his enigmatic new mentor. … Expand

Director: Riley Stearns

Genre(s): Action, Drama, Sport, Mystery, Thriller, Comedy, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 104 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Bobby LePire

Mar 25, 2019

The Art Of Self Defense is set in a very peculiar world populated by eccentric characters. While that might turn some off, due to the vision of director Riley Stearns and his incredible production team, as well as a top-notch cast, the movie is as hilarious as it is unpredictable. It emerges as a strong early contender for best film of the year. Read full review

Matthew Dougherty

Jul 10, 2019

One of the most original films of the year so far, The Art of Self-Defense is a searing critique of male violence, and the notion of power at large, told through a traditional kung fu flick set in present day America. Dryly funny, the film also carries a wisdom that makes Riley Stearns a talent to watch. Read full review

IndieWire Eric Kohn

Mar 12, 2019

Stearns’ tone involves a tricky negotiation between the melancholy and the macabre. “The Art of Self-Defense” doesn’t always pull that balance off, but it has enough ambition and wacky payoff to make the zany gamble worthwhile. Read full review

John DeFore

Mar 15, 2019

While the beats of its plot may be nothing very new, the tone, language and performances here make Self-Defense its own beast. Read full review

The Playlist Ryan Oliver

Mar 12, 2019

While slight, yet accurate in his thesis, Stearns does what any good filmmaker should do to make that message stick: he makes us laugh. Read full review

Ty Burr

Jul 17, 2019

Casey is possibly on the spectrum, but one of the problems with The Art of Self-Defense is that all the other characters seem to be, too. Read full review

A.O. Scott

Jul 10, 2019

The one halfway-interesting part of this movie is Nivola’s performance, which operates at both a deeper register of seriousness and a higher pitch of comedy than anything else. Read full review

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User Reviews

stoffanator

Jul 22, 2019

Just to let other reviewers know. The movie wasn't unable to make up its mind about whether or not you should laugh at the characters or care for them, it was a dark comedy, and a perfect one at that. Enjoyed from start to finish.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Compi24

Sep 16, 2020

It's not often you see a movie that completely wins you over with just its tone, but "The Art Of Self-Defense" did so in spades for me. It's this deliciously off-kilter, intoxicatingly hyperreal mix of both the comedic stylings of a Christopher Guest or Jared Hess film, plus the socialIt's not often you see a movie that completely wins you over with just its tone, but "The Art Of Self-Defense" did so in spades for me. It's this deliciously off-kilter, intoxicatingly hyperreal mix of both the comedic stylings of a Christopher Guest or Jared Hess film, plus the social commentary of a movie like "Fight Club" or "Fargo." Writer/director Riley Stearns pulls from such a wildly different school of thought when it comes to the implementation of voice and expectations within a film, so much so that I honestly can't wait to see what he does next. Jesse Eisenberg and Imogen Poots are terrific in their respective roles, but the real star is Alessandro Nivola, an unmitigated master in deadpan delivery and an underrated player in the business overall. Dark, funny, twisted and deep, "The Art Of Self-Defense" is so many things at once, all of them gratifyingly executed at the very least. I'm always excited to add a new filmmaker to my mental "ones to watch" list, and Stearns has definitely earned his place.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Came

Oct 14, 2019

This film is dark comedy but i didn't laugh at one joke. But somehow i really liked this film a lot. It's indescribable good.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

hnestlyonthesly

Oct 7, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The Art of Self-Defense deserves better than we can give it. It’s a dry, dark comedy that mocks the toxic masculinity of its genre bedfellows, chief among them Chuck Palanhiuk’s Fight Club. I’d be interested to see if there’s been any sustained discussion of those two films since ASD is so tickled by poking at the hyper masculine boy’s club mentality in the office, at the super market, in the locker room at the dojo–you know, regular guy stuff. Jessie Eisenberg is in his element. The real breakout star for me is Imogen Poots, returned at last from his transcendent Green Room, who is at once violent, misunderstood, kind, and angry as hell.

There are certainly aspects of this story that feel tired. My dad, who has not seen the movie, was able to get me about seventy-five percent of the way there just based on the trailer, but I really do think that the story and its twist rely heavily on the film’s overarching critique of the genre (and by extension, maybe the culture). I don’t know if that relegates it to second-class status with the likes of films like Isn’t It Romantic, but I hope not, because it accomplishes a lot more in the way of humor and surprises than I think the former did.

Wife didn’t think all that much of the movie. Said she was bored by the film for deeply personal reasons. She says she doesn’t care about the story of the agony of the tortured Beta male.

The ending drew applause from the audience and some big, shocked laughs. Poots’s fringe should win best supporting actor.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Gamzguy17

Aug 21, 2021

Serves up some laughs, but has a potent message to deliver through some very dark, albeit humorously aware, scenes. It's a fine curiosity to check out for more serious movie goers. Casual audiences may find the deliberately stilted direction a bit too much.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

amheretojudge

Oct 3, 2019

Jesse Eisenberg's comic timing is simply on the mark, you are waiting for him to take charge and you'll keep waiting.

The Art Of Self-Defense Riley Stearns gets weird kicks out of awkward situations. Ipso facto, the film. Actually I find this film similar to Scott Cooper's Out Of TheJesse Eisenberg's comic timing is simply on the mark, you are waiting for him to take charge and you'll keep waiting.

The Art Of Self-Defense

Riley Stearns gets weird kicks out of awkward situations. Ipso facto, the film. Actually I find this film similar to Scott Cooper's Out Of The Furnace. Of course, the theme it speaks so enthusiastically and not the platform it chooses. Although, I'd say that despite the way it is endorsed, the film doesn't just portray the masculinity issues that are in America and in its houses. In that aspect, it is certainly more international. Global. The film fits perfectly into the current wave of change that we have all experienced over the past few years regarding the equality in opportunity and respect.

And the film has a tactile approach to these themes with darker allegory. It is really easy to cross the line between what is funny and what is not. And the writer and director Stearns uses that same logic in every frame of the film. Pulling off one of the most difficult jobs in.. let's call it, art form. And that is differentiating humor from drama and vice versa and still walk along with them. And as I say, the film does invent a new strategy.

Provides a new solution to deconstruct the system of our society and build a new one. A proper one. And it also repetitively debunks the one that we are still using, to be precise, the other films are. But what Stearns forgets in order to do so, is that inevitably it is deriving the same tactics. All that effort and all that practice, for that same not just the result but the procedure. The montage sequences is something he couldn't lose his tail from. So we are back to zero when the film ends. And that is really sad. The Art Of Self-Defense is still admirable than those campaign ads, but remember, I'd still have to compare it to what's commercially motivated.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Ahmcgill

May 16, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The dog dies. Beyond that it's a boring, generic ripoff of other good and bad movies.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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