People say that it takes a miracle to make a film. This is one heck of a miracle.
What it's about
A group of gonzo filmmakers hatch a three-pronged plan to save the acting career of child star Mitsuko, end a yakuza war between Muto’s and Ikegami’s clans, and make a hit movie.
The take
Sure, it takes a special type of crazy to try to make it in the movies, especially if you’ve been at it for ten years without any sort of premiere, but the strangely persistent four-man production of Why Don’t You Play in Hell? takes this to even crazier heights, involving a yakuza gang war and potentially their lives. Writer-director Sion Sono infuses his signature gore with much more playful comedy, slinging together chaotic action scenes through the pure power of cool, and the entire roster’s enthusiasm for cinema is just so infectious, it’s compelling to watch, even when the plotlines don’t fully mesh well. Why Don't You Play in Hell? is such a fun tribute to gritty action filmmaking.
What stands out
How much fake blood, exactly, was used for this film? It’s actually insane.
Comments
Add a comment
Your name
Your comment
UP NEXT
UP NEXT
UP NEXT
More like this in
Rohan at the Louvre (2023)
A riveting supernatural mystery contemplating Japanese art in relation to the world
8.2
The Shadow Strays (2024)
Timo Tjahjanto’s second Netflix collab takes a darker path in this bloody and brutal crime thriller
7.1
Tampopo (1985)
A bemusing delicious food comedy dubbed as the first Ramen Western
9.0
Lust, Caution (2007)
A wartime spy falls for a collaborator in this erotic espionage drama
7.3
Hard Days (2023)
A detective has a series of terrible, horrible days in this decent Japanese thriller remake
7.0
Shin Kamen Rider (2023)
A bizarre superhero adaptation of the classic 70s tokusatsu series that goes absolutely bonkers
7.5
Minbo: the Gentle Art of Japanese Extortion (1992)
Alternatively, a hilarious, satiric guide to dealing with pesky organized crime
8.3
Kingdom (2019)
An adequate, if a bit condensed, adaptation with excellent action and production design
7.0
Bad Lands (2023)
A subtle Japanese crime thriller that coolly pulls off its long con
7.2
Tokyo Fist (1995)
A salaryman returns to the ring in this avant-garde boxing horror