The Art of Self Defense

Find Movie Theaters & Showtimes

for
near
in

We didn't find this title in your area

Browse Local Theaters

Videos & Photos

  • Official Trailer
  • Teaser 1
SEE ALL VIDEOS & PHOTOS

Movie Info & Cast

Director:

Riley Stearns

Producer:

Camille Bertrand, Lisa Ciuffetti, Andrew Karpen

Writer:

Riley Stearns

Release Date:

Jul 12, 2019

Runtime:

1hr 44m

Synopsis

A man is attacked at random on the street. Enlists at a local dojo, led by a charismatic and mysterious Sensei, in an effort to learn how to defend himself.

Cast

  • Jesse Eisenberg
  • Alessandro Nivola
  • Imogen Poots
  • Steve Terada
  • David Zellner
  • Phillip Andre Botello
  • Jason Burkey
  • Mike Brooks
  • C.J. Rush
  • Davey Johnson

Letterboxd User Reviews

3.6
129.3K
28.5K
34.8K
RATINGS 335 FANS
3.6
  • Jul 23, 2019

    bro, it’s not gay if it’s karate

    0 Likes
    Lucy
    Lucy
    Jul 23, 2019

    Grandmaster punched a hole in their heads with his index finger. An expert move. And an expert setup. This movie is peak Jesse Eisenberg casting and I'm glad we're not pretending he's a charming lead anymore.

    0 Likes
    Georgia Coley
    Georgia Coley
    Aug 7, 2019

    our unborn son punched (with his feet) throughout the entirety of this movie. i can think of no higher or more distressing endorsement. also, Poots.

    0 Likes
    davidehrlich
    davidehrlich
  •
    Jul 10, 2019

    I took martial arts for ten years and it really do be like that sometimes

    0 Likes
    Sara Clements
    Sara Clements
    Jan 21, 2022

    “We should do push ups.” Just stellar. Wanted to rewatch this to show it to Cheyenne in advance of seeing Riley’s follow-up film tonight. She has a very goofy photo of me absolutely cheesing at the screen, simultaneously enjoying this and remembering the delight of…

    0 Likes
    demi adejuyigbe
    demi adejuyigbe
    Jul 21, 2019

    Bitingly funny in its satirical, monotone, dry delivery; my theater didn't get the humor and I was one of the only ones laughing, but this feels like a dark, bizzaro mix of Wes Anderson, Napoleon Dynamite, and Yorgos Lanthimos. Unlike other "sterile" films where the dryness…

    0 Likes
    Georgia Coley
    Georgia Coley
  •
    Aug 5, 2019

    It's literally Fight Club, but like, with karate.

    0 Likes
    john
    john
    Jul 11, 2019

    AKA The Karate Man-Child.

    0 Likes
    Matt Singer
    Matt Singer
    Oct 4, 2019

    IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SPRAIN YOUR WRIST PLAYING SOFT ROCK

    0 Likes
    eely 👻
    eely 👻

Atom Users Reviews

3.8
42
48
18
7
10
POPULAR TAGS
#original
#clever
#surprising
#hilarious
#indiehit
#greatcast

Reviews

  • CW
    callie wiley
    #indiehit
    #surprising

    This movie is not for everyone. It did make me feel a wide range of emotions which is a positive. You must like dark humor to enjoy this movie. The cast really sells it.

    JF
    Joseph Fourreaux
    #hilarious
    #seeingitagain
    #indiehit

    Definitely caught me by surprise! Pretty good movie and funny definitely worth seeing if your a Jesse Eisenberg fan.

    RR
    Roman Roman
    #surprising
    #hilarious
    #great

    Cool!

  • JS
    Jim Stirbis
    #predictable
    #annoying
    #clumsy

    The actors are much better than the film, and they still can’t save it.

    DC
    dean curling
    #slow

    A movie that thinks it’s being hip and clever, but in reality is obvious, tedious and smug. Offers transparent, biased moralizing more than insightful observations. This only cost me a dollar out of pocket and I’d really like the dollar back...

    DK
    Daniek Kovatch
    #surprising
    #indiehit

    This film played out like a film I saw last year. It had a quirky first hour, and then it went fairly off the rails for the last third. Overall, I did have a good time with this one.

  • DW
    David Webster
    #wantmymoneyback
    #horrible
    #pointless

    OMG this movie was so bad I’d like to get my time and money back. I can’t even believe they put this in a theater. I guess it’s a slow week for new releases but I’m just sitting here shaking my head in disbelief it this movie. I have to say not the worst movie I’ve ever…

    DB
    David Balsitis
    #boring
    #slow

    How anybody gave this more than one star is baffling. Absolutely worst movie I've seen in a couple decades. Unbelievably stupid, wasted a part of my life tonight.

    HH
    henrey713 henrey713
    #terrifying
    #notmyfave
    #creepy

    Wacck

Read all 125 customer reviews

Metacritic

65
metacritic
Based on 32 Critics
6.5

USER SCORE (89)

Generally favorable reviews based on 89 Reviews
88
Jul 18, 2019

The film’s calm brutality is effective. Plot-wise, some punches are telegraphed, while others are not. The satire is a spinning wheel kick I didn’t see coming. Black belts all around.

Metacritic review by Brad Wheeler
Brad Wheeler
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
50
Jul 9, 2019

Director and writer Riley Stearns’ mediocre comedy aims to be a roundhouse kick at traditional masculinity, but doesn’t manage to take it down in any deep or insightful way.

Metacritic review by Johnny Oleksinski
Johnny Oleksinski
New York Post
83
Mar 18, 2019

When the film works it veers into the domain of the uncomfortably hilarious as the maladjusted becomes a malcontent without a choice.

Metacritic review by John Fink
John Fink
The Film Stage

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Art of Self Defense (2019) family-friendly?
The movie has been rated as R, meaning that Under 17 requires an adult accompaniment.
How long is The Art of Self Defense (2019)?
The movie is 1hr 44min long.
What's The Art of Self Defense (2019) about?
A man is attacked at random on the street. Enlists at a local dojo, led by a charismatic and mysterious Sensei, in an effort to learn how to defend himself.
Who's the cast of The Art of Self Defense (2019)?
  • Jesse Eisenberg as Casey
  • Alessandro Nivola as Sensei
  • Imogen Poots as Anna
  • Steve Terada as Thomas
  • David Zellner as Henry
  • Phillip Andre Botello as Kennith
  • Jason Burkey as Alex
  • Mike Brooks as Steve
  • C.J. Rush as Other Steve
  • Davey Johnson as Gun Store Owner
Who's the director behind The Art of Self Defense (2019)?
Riley Stearns directed The Art of Self Defense (2019).
Who produced The Art of Self Defense (2019)?
Camille Bertrand, Lisa Ciuffetti and Andrew Karpen produced The Art of Self Defense (2019).