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Trailer

Ikiru

1952Movie2 h 23 minNR

Drama
91
ExcellentGoodWatch score
IMDb8.3Metacritic928.8Rotten Tomatoes98%96%

A deeply moving, cathartic drama movie about society and politics, with standout direction and performances.

Good for family movie night · friends night · teens

Skip it if you want to half-watch while scrolling

Where to watch

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Not for scares, adrenaline or brutality.

Movies with

Story

A big story of a little man which will grip your soul...

Kanji Watanabe is a middle-aged man who has worked in the same monotonous bureaucratic position for decades. Learning he has cancer, he starts to look for the meaning of his life.

Feels like

  • Existential Drama
  • Bureaucratic Satire
  • Masterpiece of Humanism
  • Non-Linear Storytelling
  • Profoundly Moving
  • Critique of Apathy
  • Kurosawa's Emotional Core
  • Legacy and Mortality
  • Quiet Heroism

Cast

24 of 44

Crew

Directed by
Akira Kurosawa
Written by
Akira Kurosawa, Shinobu Hashimoto, Hideo Oguni
Produced by
Sōjirō Motoki
Music by
Fumio Hayasaka

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

October 9, 1952 · 2 h 23 min · NR

Released
October 9, 1952
Runtime
2 h 23 min
Age rating
NR
Genres
Drama
Original language
Japanese
Made in
Japan
Budget
$85,000
Box office
$55,240
Available in
40 countries

Tropes

Trauma Swing, Snow Means Death, Good Hair, Evil Hair +9

  • Trauma Swing
  • Snow Means Death
  • Good Hair, Evil Hair
  • Sleazy Politician
  • Redemption Equals Death
  • The Nicknamer
  • Obsessed with Perfect Attendance
  • The World Is Just Awesome
  • Let Them Die Happy
  • Go Out with a Smile
  • The Determinator
  • Blatant Lies

12 of 47 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream Ikiru?"

Questions about Ikiru

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Ikiru?

HBO MaxKanopyCriterion

In the United States, Ikiru streams on HBO Max and Criterion, and it is free with ads on Kanopy. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 35 other countries.

Is Ikiru worth watching?

91
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 91 (IMDb 8.3, Rotten Tomatoes 98%, and Metacritic 92).

Is Ikiru okay for kids?

NR

Yes: it's rated NR in the United States, and the viewing guide lists it for family nights.

Is Ikiru plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (9 of 10) and pathos (9 of 10) more than on its plot.

Can I half-watch Ikiru?

Easy watchDemanding

No, it needs your attention: the title analysis rates it 9 of 10 for philosophical and 8 for non-linear narrative.

Is Ikiru in English?

Japanese

No, it was made in Japanese.

What tropes does Ikiru use?

Trauma SwingSnow Means DeathGood Hair, Evil HairSleazy PoliticianRedemption Equals DeathThe NicknamerObsessed with Perfect AttendanceThe World Is Just AwesomeLet Them Die HappyGo Out with a SmileThe DeterminatorBlatant Liesand 35 more

TV Tropes lists 47 tropes for it, including Trauma Swing, Snow Means Death, and Good Hair, Evil Hair.