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Trailer

Tokyo Drifter

1966Movie1 h 23 min

CrimeThriller
83
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb7.1Rotten Tomatoes93%79%

A violent, fast-paced thriller movie about crime, with standout cinematography and visual style.

Good for friends night · teens · pure escapism

Skip it if graphic violence bothers you

Where to watch

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Not for warmth, comfort or laughs.

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Story

After yakuza boss Kurata dissolves his own criminal empire, a rival kingpin offers a position to Kurata's top operative, Tetsuya "Phoenix Tetsu" Hondo. When the fiercely loyal Tetsu declines, Otsuka taps unstoppable Tatsuzo the "Viper", a ruthless gun-for-hire, to assassinate him. As the Viper trails his target through the countryside, the agile Phoenix Tetsu grows concerned that one of his former associates has betrayed him.

Feels like

  • Yakuza Film
  • Japanese New Wave
  • Stylish Visuals
  • Gang Warfare
  • Existential Angst
  • Morality
  • Brotherhood
  • Betrayal
  • Neo-Noir
  • Action

Cast

11 of 11

Crew

Directed by
Seijun Suzuki
Written by
Kōhan Kawauchi
Produced by
Tetsuro Nakagawa
Music by
Hajime Kaburagi

Everyone

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

Facts

April 10, 1966 · 1 h 23 min · Violence

Released
April 10, 1966
Runtime
1 h 23 min
Content
Violence
Genres
Thriller, Crime, Action
Original language
Japanese
Also spoken
English
Made in
Japan
Available in
18 countries

Tropes

Antagonist in Mourning, Bar Brawl, Better to Die than Be Killed +9

  • Antagonist in Mourning
  • Bar Brawl
  • Better to Die than Be Killed
  • Bittersweet Ending
  • The Cavalry
  • Celibate Hero
  • The Chanteuse
  • Color Motif
  • Deliberately Monochrome
  • The Drifter
  • Not With the Safety On, You Won't
  • Race Fetish

12 of 27 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

5 questions, like "Where can I stream Tokyo Drifter?"

Questions about Tokyo Drifter

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Tokyo Drifter?

Criterion

In the United States, Tokyo Drifter streams on Criterion. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 7 other countries.

Is Tokyo Drifter worth watching?

83
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 83 (IMDb 7.1 and Rotten Tomatoes 93%). Critics rate it higher (93 out of 100) than audiences (75).

Is Tokyo Drifter in English?

JapaneseEnglish

No, it was made in Japanese, with some English.

What tropes does Tokyo Drifter use?

Antagonist in MourningBar BrawlBetter to Die than Be KilledBittersweet EndingThe CavalryCelibate HeroThe ChanteuseColor MotifDeliberately MonochromeThe DrifterNot With the Safety On, You Won'tRace Fetishand 15 more

TV Tropes lists 27 tropes for it, including Antagonist in Mourning, Bar Brawl, and Better to Die than Be Killed.