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Why Don't You Play in Hell?

Play trailer Poster for Why Don't You Play in Hell? 2014 2h 9m Action Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
83% Tomatometer 42 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
In Japan, gonzo filmmakers hatch a three-pronged plan to save an actress's career, end a yakuza war and make a hit movie.
Why Don't You Play in Hell?

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Deliriously manic and gleefully tasteless, Why Don't You Play in Hell? delivers infectious genre fun.

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Critics Reviews

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Samuel B. Prime Slant Magazine Sep 24, 2019
A minor character at one point buoyantly asks, "What's 35mm?" Sono's mission is to create a film that answers this vacant, if innocent, question. Go to Full Review Alexandra Heller-Nicholas Horror Nonna Aug 25, 2018
Why Don't You Play in Hell is a frenzy of joy and colour, held together by an unrelenting disinterest in narrative logic. Go to Full Review Scott Tobias The Dissolve Nov 10, 2014
3/5
Alternately exhilarating and tedious, Why Don't You Play In Hell? is Sono's tribute to moviemaking. Go to Full Review Justine Smith Vague Visages Jun 6, 2024
The director, at the expense of his sanity, has completely transcended these needs and wants, attaining a higher power by way of cinema. Go to Full Review C.J. Prince Way Too Indie Jun 27, 2019
7.3/10
Once the two plots merge, it leads to a massive sequence that's hilarious in its gleeful bloodlust and self-awareness. Go to Full Review Pat Padua Spectrum Culture Aug 28, 2018
2/5
As much as the film overflows with blood, the movie's other major problem is that it overflows with contrived plot and incident. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Landon J @Minxsykitty Jul 29, 2026 Reallllly didn't like this. Soooo boring throughout, and the payoff is such a nothing burger. Really felt like a huge waste of time. Nothing really makes this worth a watch. See more Andrew S @Malasita Jul 6, 2026 Very fun action film. Yakuza battles and young filmmakers collab in this over the top comedy action film. See more William D @acsdoug Apr 2, 2023 This movie is so far over the top it makes for one helluva ride. Hiroki Hasegawa is superb as the obsessed director wannabe, he was cracking me up constantly. See more Oct 28, 2020 全员嗑药，没有一个脑子正常的角色，非常欢乐。 See more Jan 14, 2019 I'm a fan of every Sion Sono film I've seen except for this one. Found it to be pretty stupid which puts me in the minority group who didn't get the humour. It was funny in the start but then just got irritating after a while. See more Sep 26, 2018 Can't stop yourself from liking this. See more Read all reviews
Why Don't You Play in Hell?

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Sion Sono

Director

Jun Kunimura

Muto

Shinichi Tsutsumi

Jun Ikegama

Hiroki Hasegawa

Don Hirata

Gen Hoshino

Koji Hashimoto

Fumi Nikaidô

Mitsuko
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Why Don't You Play in Hell?

Why Don't You Play in Hell? (2013) Why Don't You Play in Hell? (2013) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In Japan, gonzo filmmakers hatch a three-pronged plan to save an actress's career, end a yakuza war and make a hit movie.
Director
Sion Sono
Producer
Takeshi Suzuki, Takuyuki Matsuno
Screenwriter
Sion Sono
Distributor
Drafthouse Films
Production Co
King Records
Genre
Action, Comedy
Original Language
Japanese
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 7, 2014, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$28.5K
Runtime
2h 9m
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