The Art of Self-Defense
Director Riley Stearns
Writer Riley Stearns
Cast Jesse Eisenberg, Imogen Poots, & Alessandro Nivola
 
August 16, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27 7:00 PM
August 17, 19, 21, 23, 26 9:00 PM
  • United States
  • 2019
  • 104 mins
  • English
  • Dark Comedy

“Highly amusing deadpan comedy about toxic masculinity… A few things in common with ‘Fight Club,’ including a morbid sense of humor and a willingness to shock viewers” – Eric D. Snider

“An off-kilter look at toxic masculinity, The Art of Self-Defense is a striking knockout.” – Mogran Rojas, Cinemancy

 ““The Art of Self-Defense” doesn’t build to the kind of feel-good finale that you’d expect from a more traditional type of movie about the transformative power of sports. But it definitely sweeps the leg in its own way.” – Christy Lemire, Roger Ebert.com
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After he’s attacked on the street at night by a roving motorcycle gang, timid bookkeeper Casey (Jesse Eisenberg) joins a neighborhood karate studio to learn how to protect himself. Under the watchful eye of a charismatic instructor, Sensei (Alessandro Nivola), and hardcore brown belt Anna (Imogen Poots), Casey gains a newfound sense of confidence for the first time in his life. But when he attends Sensei’s mysterious night classes, he discovers a sinister world of fraternity, brutality and hyper-masculinity, presenting a journey that places him squarely in the sights of his enigmatic new mentor. Audacious and offbeat, The Art of Self-Defense is an original dark comedy that takes toxic masculinity to absurd extremes.