The Art of Self-Defense

Critics Consensus

The Art of Self-Defense grapples compellingly with modern American masculinity -- and serves as an outstanding calling card for writer-director Riley Stearns.

84%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 158

63%

Audience Score

Verified Ratings: 631
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Movie Info

After he's attacked on the street at night by a roving motorcycle gang, timid bookkeeper Casey (Jesse Eisenberg) joins a neighborhood karate studio to learn how to protect himself. Under the watchful eye of a charismatic instructor, Sensei (Alessandro Nivola), and hardcore brown belt Anna (Imogen Poots), Casey gains a newfound sense of confidence for the first time in his life. But when he attends Sensei's mysterious night classes, he discovers a sinister world of fraternity, brutality and hyper-masculinity, presenting a journey that places him squarely in the sights of his enigmatic new mentor. Audacious and offbeat, The Art of Self-Defense is an original dark comedy that takes toxic masculinity to absurd extremes.
  • Rating:
    R (for violence, sexual content, graphic nudity and language)
  • Genre:
    Comedy
  • Directed By:
    Riley Stearns
  • Written By:
    Riley Stearns
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Bleecker Street

Cast

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
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Critic Reviews for The Art of Self-Defense

All Critics (158) | Top Critics (26) | Fresh (133) | Rotten (25)

  • The Art of Self-Defense weaves its time and themes until they're one and the same.

    January 17, 2020 | Full Review…

    Matt Cipolla

    The Spool
    Top Critic

  • ...aims for a very precise tone.

    January 6, 2020 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

    Josh Larsen

    LarsenOnFilm
    Top Critic

  • As a vehicle for Eisenberg, the movie falls short. But its wonderful idea works. It's creepier than it looks. [Full review in Spanish].

    January 5, 2020 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Federico Furzan

    Cinelipsis
    Top Critic

  • That it does not quite hit its target is unfortunate, but it does at least leave a watchable movie behind.

    December 2, 2019 | Rating: 6/10 | Full Review…

    Grant Watson

    Fiction Machine
    Top Critic

  • The Art of Self-Defense may be a dark comedy, but it is extremely intelligent when it comes to the subjects it addresses and represents on screen. [Full Review in Spanish]

    November 11, 2019 | Rating: 8/10 | Full Review…

    Iván Belmont

    Konexión
    Top Critic

  • It works even beyond its limitations or defects, which seem to be calculated. [Full review in Spanish]

    November 6, 2019 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Carlos Jesús González

    Cine Premiere
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (158)

Audience Reviews for The Art of Self-Defense

All Audience (444) | Verified Audience (131)
  • Jan 17, 2020
    I went in expecting mumblecore, but got more of a Wes Anderson (which, to be fair, a primary influence of mumblecore). Wes Anderson almost always has violence in his movies, but probably nothing so brutal as The Art of Self-Defense. I thought that the whole movie would essentially be setting up Eisenberg as an awkward, meek nerd, who at the very end would go uber-violent, and the joke that they bothered to make a movie for would essentially be "You didn't think this guy would punch very good but then he does". Happy to say, I was wrong. Not only does Eisenberg punch pretty good on actually more than one occasion, there's also a story in The Art of Self-Defense as well, which I was not expecting. Now I still didn't think it was very good, and I definitely didn't think it was very funny, but my very low expectations were exceeded, so in the end I'm actually moderately happy with this one.
    Gimly M Super Reviewer
  • Oct 23, 2019
    An interesting and quirky look at modern life, Eisenberg absolutely excellent as a hopeless urbanite, clueless as to why he doesn't connect with his fellow men - until he learns how to. Connect! Although quietly told this is a resonant work, auspicious for writer/director Riley Stearns.
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
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