The Law of Killing
The Law of Killing

Movie spotlight

The Law of Killing

2005
Movie
79 min
Japanese

Members of the Ryusei Group conspiring to expand their influence into the Kanto region are being murdered one after another. The method? Strangulation with piano wire. The culprit is Sakura Kyosuke, who became a hitman for the rival group, the Jinbukai, to earn money for the medical treatment of his sister, Saori, who has a walking disability. His crimes are both elegant and cruel, making him an indispensable yet troublesome figure for the Jinbukai! However, the Ryusei Group hires former police officer Togawa and orders Sakura's elimination. A fierce battle between two elite assassins now begins. The brilliant, cruel, and tragic story of men who know no other way to live but as hitmen!

Insights

IMDb6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes45%
Metacritic55/100
Google Users72%
Director: Stephen KayGenres: Crime, Drama, Thriller

Plot Summary

A young woman is abducted and brutally assaulted, only to be left for dead. She survives and, using her intelligence and resourcefulness, goes on a relentless quest for vengeance against her attackers and the legal system that failed her. The film explores the psychological toll of trauma and the blurred lines between justice and revenge.

Critical Reception

The Law of Killing received a mixed reception from critics. While some praised its intense atmosphere and Keri Russell's committed performance, others found the plot predictable and the violence gratuitous. Audiences were similarly divided, with some appreciating the revenge thriller aspects and others put off by its dark themes.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for Keri Russell's strong performance in a demanding role.

  • Criticized for relying on familiar revenge thriller tropes.

  • Noted for its dark and gritty tone, which some found compelling and others overly bleak.

Google audience: Google users generally found the film to be a tense and gripping revenge thriller, appreciating its exploration of justice and its dark subject matter. However, some viewers felt the plot was somewhat predictable and the violence too extreme.

Fun Fact

The film was originally titled 'The Grudge Match' before being changed to 'The Law of Killing'.

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