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The Art of Self-Defense grapples compellingly with modern American masculinity -- and serves as an outstanding calling card for writer-director Riley Stearns.
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All Critics (146) | Top Critics (26)
Bold but inconsistent, outrageous but not all that shocking, The Art of Self Defense never reaches its full potential, but lands more than enough punches to warrant our attention. Jul 19, 2019 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
Bold but inconsistent, outrageous but not all that shocking, The Art of Self Defense never reaches its full potential, but lands more than enough punches to warrant our attention.
Richard Roeper
It's tempting to imagine that writer-director Riley Stearns caught a screening of the supremely feel-good The Karate Kid and thought, "Yeah, I can make the opposite of that." Jul 19, 2019 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
It's tempting to imagine that writer-director Riley Stearns caught a screening of the supremely feel-good The Karate Kid and thought, "Yeah, I can make the opposite of that."
Matthew Lickona
If offbeat is the goal, Stearns earns his black belt. Jul 19, 2019 | Rating: B | Full Review…
If offbeat is the goal, Stearns earns his black belt.
Adam Graham
Stearns' satire is mostly of the blunt-force variety. Jul 19, 2019 | Full Review…
Stearns' satire is mostly of the blunt-force variety.
David Sims
The film's calm brutality is effective. Plot-wise, some punches are telegraphed, while others are not. The satire is a spinning wheel kick I didn't see coming. Black belts all around. Jul 18, 2019 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…
The film's calm brutality is effective. Plot-wise, some punches are telegraphed, while others are not. The satire is a spinning wheel kick I didn't see coming. Black belts all around.
Brad Wheeler
Mannered and remote, the movie throws a lot of punches but hardly ever connects. Jul 18, 2019 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…
Mannered and remote, the movie throws a lot of punches but hardly ever connects.
Ty Burr
Taking one of the most beloved tropes in film, we see the depths we would go to for the healing and validation of our trauma. Aug 16, 2019 | Rating: 8.5/10 | Full Review…
Taking one of the most beloved tropes in film, we see the depths we would go to for the healing and validation of our trauma.
Michael Joseph Garza
The Art of Self-Defense pulls no punches. Aug 15, 2019 | Full Review…
The Art of Self-Defense pulls no punches.
Deborah Krieger
Stearns's broad-strokes spreadsheet bares all in time, but it's only when you start to audit the details that you fully appreciate the film, and its well-disguised emotional embezzlement. Aug 14, 2019 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…
Stearns's broad-strokes spreadsheet bares all in time, but it's only when you start to audit the details that you fully appreciate the film, and its well-disguised emotional embezzlement.
Katherine Monk
It's very, very dark, but the balance of darkness and comedy is so great...this just nails it. Aug 9, 2019 | Rating: 4.5/5 | Full Review…
It's very, very dark, but the balance of darkness and comedy is so great...this just nails it.
Steph Cozza
Starring Jesse Eisenberg as you've only seen him before. Aug 8, 2019 | Full Review…
Starring Jesse Eisenberg as you've only seen him before.
Rob Hunter
It won't be for everyone, but The Art Of Self-Defense is a dark, sharp and poignant take on the current gender roles and expectations in society. Aug 1, 2019 | Full Review…
It won't be for everyone, but The Art Of Self-Defense is a dark, sharp and poignant take on the current gender roles and expectations in society.
Brent Goldman
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