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Trailer

The Art of Self-Defense

2019Movie1 h 44 minR

ComedyThriller
69
GoodGoodWatch score
IMDb6.6Metacritic656.4Rotten Tomatoes83%65%

A violent, thrilling comedy movie about society and everyday modern life.

Good for friends night · thought-provoking · adults

Skip it if graphic violence bothers you

Where to watch

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Not for warmth, comfort or scares.

Movies with

Story

Casey is attacked at random on the street and enlists in a local dojo led by a charismatic and mysterious Sensei in an effort to learn how to defend himself. What he uncovers is a sinister world of fraternity, violence and hypermasculinity and a woman fighting for her place in it.

Feels like

  • Dark Comedy
  • Martial Arts Satire
  • Hypermasculinity Critique
  • Toxic Culture
  • Absurdist Humor
  • Psychological
  • Dojo
  • Violence

Cast

19 of 19

Crew

Directed by
Riley Stearns
Written by
Riley Stearns
Produced by
Walter Kortschak, Stephanie Whonsetler, Cody Ryder
Music by
Heather McIntosh

Everyone

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

Facts

July 12, 2019 · 1 h 44 min · R

Released
July 12, 2019
Runtime
1 h 44 min
Age rating
R
Content
Violence, Strong Language, Sexual Content
Genres
Comedy, Thriller, Drama, Mystery
Original language
English
Also spoken
French, German, Spanish
Made in
United States
Budget
$2 million
Box office
$2 million
Available in
77 countries

Tropes

Thug Dojo, Embarrassing First Name, Disposing of a Body +9

  • Thug Dojo
  • Embarrassing First Name
  • Disposing of a Body
  • 20 Minutes into the Past
  • Meaningful Echo
  • Klingon Promotion
  • Felony Misdemeanor
  • Action Girl
  • Bond One-Liner
  • There Are No Rules
  • Furnace Body Disposal
  • Doesn't Like Guns

12 of 58 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

4 questions, like "Where can I stream The Art of Self-Defense?"

Questions about The Art of Self-Defense

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Art of Self-Defense?

JustWatch TV FreeJustWatch TV+KanopyHooplaFandango at Home FreePlexTubi TV

In the United States, The Art of Self-Defense streams on JustWatch TV+, and it is free with ads on JustWatch TV Free, Kanopy, Hoopla, Fandango at Home Free, Plex, and Tubi TV. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 6 other countries.

Is The Art of Self-Defense worth watching?

69
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 69 (IMDb 6.6, Rotten Tomatoes 83%, and Metacritic 65).

Will The Art of Self-Defense make me laugh?

Light

Now and then: the humor is mostly dark humor (7 of 10) and satire (6 of 10).

What tropes does The Art of Self-Defense use?

Thug DojoEmbarrassing First NameDisposing of a Body20 Minutes into the PastMeaningful EchoKlingon PromotionFelony MisdemeanorAction GirlBond One-LinerThere Are No RulesFurnace Body DisposalDoesn't Like Gunsand 46 more

TV Tropes lists 58 tropes for it, including Thug Dojo, Embarrassing First Name, and Disposing of a Body.