The Art of Self-Defense (2019)

Country: USA
Director: Riley Stearns
Production Co: Bleecker Street Media
Genre: Comedy
Rating: 6.7/10
Length: 104 mins

Storyline

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 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.—Bleecker Street

Plot Keywords

dark comedy, suicide, male frontal nudity, dojo, male nudity, male full frontal nudity, pubic hair, male pubic hair, killing a dog, serial murder, undercover cop, gang leader, german shepherd, dachshund, pet dog, hand to hand combat, fistfight, manipulative man, fascist, brutality

Short Review

The Art of Self-Defense is a razor-sharp parable about radicalization, masculinity and misogyny that avoids pompous, self-aggrandizing soapboxing in favour of empathy, humanity and compassion. All that, plus bonus dachshund.