The Art of Self-Defense
Bleecker Street Media | Release Date: July 12, 2019
6.5
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 89 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
61
Mixed:
12
Negative:
16
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
3
JoeCoolNov 13, 2019
I don't think much of this movie. It's supposed to be funny, but the issues touched on just aren't funny in the least. Maybe it's my background in martial arts, but I found this movie rather painful to watch. The views on women, strength andI don't think much of this movie. It's supposed to be funny, but the issues touched on just aren't funny in the least. Maybe it's my background in martial arts, but I found this movie rather painful to watch. The views on women, strength and violence portrayed in this movie, I just can't laugh at those at all, sorry.… Expand
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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0
ProteusJul 22, 2019
Possibly the worst lighting I've ever seen in a movie. That is a giveaway of the production values and overall quality.

Terrible movie. The target audience for this movie must be the smallest ever. People who find male power issues leadingPossibly the worst lighting I've ever seen in a movie. That is a giveaway of the production values and overall quality.

Terrible movie. The target audience for this movie must be the smallest ever. People who find male power issues leading to unneeded violence funny.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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1
1MoviemanJul 19, 2019
Just another stupid movie. Where do they come up with these ideas? Makes no reason at all. It was almost as bad as Midsomer but not as gory.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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0
AhmcgillMay 16, 2020
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The dog dies. Beyond that it's a boring, generic ripoff of other good and bad movies.… Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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2
Lambo442Aug 20, 2020
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This film started off well and I felt genuinely happy for the kid when he began to learn Karate and feel more empowered. The master was very funny and I liked the idea that he seemed like he was full of **** but actually he wasn't. When he says to him 'You will always be a yellow belt, just like a ship that burns and sinks to the bottom of the ocean is still a ship,' I felt that on a deep level. But out of the blue the film gets very unbelievable, weirdly dark and brutal, which clashes with the comedic tone quite a bit. Things start to make no sense. Like, all of a sudden he throat punches his boss just for being nice to him and doesn't even get arrested. It then turns out the dojo are jumping people in order to empower them to get marital arts training, or just so members can earn respect through some kind of sadistic murdering scheme. This film really goes in a bizarre direction and the ending is bizarre too. There ends up being no likeable characters really. The cool master turns out to be a psychopath. I wish they'd have kept this film more believable and also just made the film I wanted them to make.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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3
dullurdJul 21, 2019
I like its ambition, but it's a pretty big misfire for two reasons, I'd say.

One big problem is that the film can't seem to make up its mind whether you're supposed to care about the characters or laugh at them, and tries to have it bothI like its ambition, but it's a pretty big misfire for two reasons, I'd say.

One big problem is that the film can't seem to make up its mind whether you're supposed to care about the characters or laugh at them, and tries to have it both ways. The very stylized dialogue and shtick-y performances made it impossible for me to see the characters as real people, so all of the emotional beats rang false.

Second, it really goes off the rails in the third act. The plot turns are pretty contrived and hard-to-swallow. Rather than having a bunch of events-for-the-sake-of-being-eventful, I wish the story had zoomed in more on Eisenberg's character, who remains frustratingly opaque throughout.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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3
Mauro_LanariMar 12, 2020
(Mauro Lanari)
A minimalist "Fight Club" with the anthropological problematic supplanted by criticism of machismo. The black humor runs out at the first scene.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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0
robin006Aug 14, 2021
A very disappointing film from the director whose first film (Faults-2014) was spectacular! In this film, the story continues for a logical (and of course predictable) hour and twenty minutes. Suddenly everything breaks down! The dark comedyA very disappointing film from the director whose first film (Faults-2014) was spectacular! In this film, the story continues for a logical (and of course predictable) hour and twenty minutes. Suddenly everything breaks down! The dark comedy aspect of the story is revealed in an incomprehensible and stupid way!
If you want to enjoy karate and experience different tones at the same time, Karate Kid (and Cobra kai) will be the best choice. The Art of Self-Defense is a boring and offensive film. And of course it has nothing to do with karate.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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2
Willb006Feb 7, 2020
Boring movie that is a giant waste of time. Weird and not funny at all. Blech
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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