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Ratings

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IMDb rating
6.9
Critic rating Average critic rating
9.0

Reviews

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ian91
Critic Ian Nathan
rated 8

Japanese gore-maestro Takashi Miike may be an acquired taste, but at his best, as here with this nutso fusion of the gangster and serial-killer genres based on Hideo Yamamoto’s manga series, he’s an electrifying filmmaker.

Read full review at Empire
simon447
Critic Simon Abrams
rated 10

It’s a wonderful poison apple of a gore movie, one whose half-attractive, half-repulsive charms make it a fitting apology and celebration of its director’s frequently jarring use of extreme violence.

Read full review at Roger Ebert

Cast & Crew

Takashi Miike
Director
Jun Kunimura
As Funaki
Susumu Terajima
As Suzuki
Kiyohiko Shibukawa
As Ryu Long
Tadanobu Asano
As Kakihara
Yoshiyuki Morishita
As Man in Restaurant
Shun Sugata
As Takayama

Frequently asked questions

What is Ichi the Killer about? Toggle content

Ichi the Killer is a cult classic Japanese film that delves into the dark and twisted world of sadomasochism, violence,gore,and crime. The movie follows Kakihara, a yakuza enforcer who is both sadistic and masochistic, as he searches for his missing boss Anjo. Throughout his journey, Kakihara crosses paths with Ichi - a psychotic killer who has a penchant for inflicting pain and violence. As the story unfolds, the line between good and evil becomes blurred, and the audience is left questioning the motivations and desires of both Kakihara and Ichi. The film's tone is set from the opening scene which features a graphic and disturbing sequence of events that sets the stage for what's to come. The plot twists and turns as Kakihara and Ichi engage in a dance of death, leaving behind a trail of brutally murdered victims along the way. Ichi The Killer is not for the faint of heart, it's a highly controversial film that pushes boundaries with its graphic content. It's a thought-provoking commentary on the human condition exploring themes such as repression, desire, Violence and the nature of evil. Ichi the Killer is a must-see for fans of Japanese cult cinema, but be warned - it's not for everyone.

Where can I stream Ichi the Killer? Toggle content

You can stream Ichi the Killer on: Apple TV Peacock Tubi

What movies are similar to Ichi the Killer? Toggle content

Some movies that have similar genres and were produced around the same time as Ichi the Killer include From Dusk Till Dawn, Highwaymen, Spawn, Full Metal Yakuza, Darkman III: Die Darkman Die, Crocodile: Death Swamp.

When was Ichi the Killer released in theaters? Toggle content

Ichi the Killer was released in theaters on May 19, 2003.