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IMDbPro

The Art of Self-Defense

  • 20192019
  • 1515
  • 1h 44m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
36K
YOUR RATING
Alessandro Nivola, Jesse Eisenberg, and Imogen Poots in The Art of Self-Defense (2019)
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.
Play trailer2:29
7 Videos
99+ Photos
ActionComedyCrime

After being attacked on the street, a young man enlists at a local dojo, led by a charismatic and mysterious sensei, in an effort to learn how to defend himself from future threats.After being attacked on the street, a young man enlists at a local dojo, led by a charismatic and mysterious sensei, in an effort to learn how to defend himself from future threats.After being attacked on the street, a young man enlists at a local dojo, led by a charismatic and mysterious sensei, in an effort to learn how to defend himself from future threats.

IMDb RATING
6.6/10
36K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Riley Stearns
  • Writer
    • Riley Stearns
  • Stars
    • Jesse Eisenberg
    • Alessandro Nivola
    • Imogen Poots
Top credits
  • Director
    • Riley Stearns
  • Writer
    • Riley Stearns
  • Stars
    • Jesse Eisenberg
    • Alessandro Nivola
    • Imogen Poots
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 332User reviews
    • 136Critic reviews
    • 65Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 5 nominations

    Videos7

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:29
    Official Trailer
    The Art of Self-Defense Trailer
    Trailer 2:29
    The Art of Self-Defense Trailer
    Teaser
    Trailer 1:18
    Teaser
    Weekend Box Office: July 19 to 21
    Clip 1:01
    Weekend Box Office: July 19 to 21
    Weekend Box Office: July 12 to 14
    Clip 1:01
    Weekend Box Office: July 12 to 14
    The Art of Self-Defense
    Clip 0:52
    The Art of Self-Defense
    The Art of Self-Defense
    Clip 1:15
    The Art of Self-Defense

    Photos137

    Jesse Eisenberg, Imogen Poots, and Phillip Andre Botello in The Art of Self-Defense (2019)
    Alessandro Nivola in The Art of Self-Defense (2019)
    Alessandro Nivola and Jesse Eisenberg in The Art of Self-Defense (2019)
    Imogen Poots in The Art of Self-Defense (2019)
    Imogen Poots and Steve Terada in The Art of Self-Defense (2019)
    Alessandro Nivola in The Art of Self-Defense (2019)
    Jesse Eisenberg in The Art of Self-Defense (2019)
    Alessandro Nivola, Jesse Eisenberg, and Riley Stearns at an event for The Art of Self-Defense (2019)
    Alessandro Nivola, Jesse Eisenberg, and Imogen Poots in The Art of Self-Defense (2019)
    Jesse Eisenberg in The Art of Self-Defense (2019)
    Jesse Eisenberg in The Art of Self-Defense (2019)
    The Art of Self-Defense (2019)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jesse Eisenberg
    Jesse Eisenberg
    • Caseyas Casey
    Alessandro Nivola
    Alessandro Nivola
    • Senseias Sensei
    Imogen Poots
    Imogen Poots
    • Annaas Anna
    Steve Terada
    Steve Terada
    • Thomasas Thomas
    David Zellner
    David Zellner
    • Henryas Henry
    Phillip Andre Botello
    Phillip Andre Botello
    • Kennithas Kennith
    Jason Burkey
    Jason Burkey
    • Alexas Alex
    Mike Brooks
    • Steveas Steve
    C.J. Rush
    C.J. Rush
    • Other Steveas Other Steve
    • (as CJ Rush)
    Davey Johnson
    Davey Johnson
    • Gun Store Owneras Gun Store Owner
    Hauke Bahr
    Hauke Bahr
    • Grantas Grant
    Katherine Martin
    • Bakery Womanas Bakery Woman
    Cameron Murphy
    Cameron Murphy
    • New White Beltas New White Belt
    • (as Patrick Cameron Murphy)
    Nicholas Hulstine
    • Pickup Truck Driveras Pickup Truck Driver
    Lena Friedrich
    • French Girlas French Girl
    Louis Robert Thompson
    Louis Robert Thompson
    • Veterinarianas Veterinarian
    Dallas Edwards
    Dallas Edwards
    • Manuelas Manuel
    Katherine Smith-Rodden
    Katherine Smith-Rodden
    • Store Cashieras Store Cashier
    • Director
      • Riley Stearns
    • Writer
      • Riley Stearns
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit
    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
    dark comedysenseidojoself defense classstudent kills teacher83 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • You can't be weak anymore.
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Comedy
      • Crime
      • Drama
      • Mystery
      • Thriller
    • Certificate
      • 15
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Writer and director Riley Stearns trains and teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
    • Quotes

      Sensei: I realize now that her being a woman will prevent her from ever becoming a man.

    • Crazy credits
      At the beginning of the end credits, the show's "title logo" is shown in a "black metal" font, mirroring the front cover of the CD Casey buys (albeit in yellow).
    • Connections
      Featured in Late Night with Seth Meyers: Jesse Eisenberg/Emily Deschanel/Kate Tempest/Raghav Mehrotra (2019)
    • Soundtracks
      Can You Hear Me Now?
      Performed by Donald McMichael

      Written by Donald McMichael

    User reviews332

    Review
    Top review
    Terrible
    In my estimation, The Art of Self-Defense is straight-up bad. Left-leaning culture vultures are likely to sing its praises, but unless you're already sympathetic to conceits of the type that appeal to such people, you'll likely sit in the theatre and sleep or wonder when the film will end. I don't recommended this mess of a movie.
    helpful•111
    140
    • maclock
    • Aug 6, 2019

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 19, 2019 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
      • German
    • Also known as
      • Nghệ Thuật Tự Vệ
    • Filming locations
      • Louisville, Kentucky, USA
    • Production company
      • End Cue
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $2,410,914
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $114,374
      • Jul 14, 2019
    • Gross worldwide
      • $2,414,269
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 44 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

    Riley Stearns on Creating the World of Dual, Capturing Loneliness, and Directing Karen Gillan’s Double Performance
    Riley Stearns on Creating the World of Dual, Capturing Loneliness, and Directing Karen Gillan’s Double Performance
    Jan 31The Film Stage
    Sundance: It's Doubled-Trouble for Karen Gillan in 'Dual'
    Sundance: It's Doubled-Trouble for Karen Gillan in 'Dual'
    Jan 27FilmExperience

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