Strap Attack 7

In the gritty underbelly of Neo-Tokyo, veteran detective John Kelly is pulled back into the fray when a series of brutal, ritualistic murders grip the city. The killer, known only as "The Puppeteer," leaves behind a signature calling card: victims posed in elaborate, disturbing tableaux. Kelly, haunted by a past case, must team up with a disgraced martial arts master and a cybernetically enhanced enforcer to stop The Puppeteer before he completes his masterpiece.

Strap Attack 7 was met with a polarized reception. While critics praised its visual style and ambitious action sequences, many found the plot convoluted and overly reliant on gratuitous violence. Audiences, however, were largely divided, with fans of the franchise appreciating the return to its signature over-the-top action, while newcomers often criticized its excessive gore and bleak tone.

• Visually striking with kinetic action, but hampered by a nonsensical plot.
• An exercise in extreme violence that sacrifices narrative coherence.
• Fans of the series will find their fill of bloody mayhem, though newcomers may be put off.

Google audience: Google users were split, with many appreciating the film's intense action and stylized visuals. However, a significant portion found the story hard to follow and criticized the excessive gore. Some enjoyed the gritty atmosphere, while others felt it was too dark and nihilistic.

Nominated for Best Fight Choreography at the Hong Kong Film Awards (lost to Ip Man).

The distinctive, intricate masks worn by The Puppeteer were inspired by traditional Japanese Noh theater, but with a disturbing, modern twist.