Outrage (2011)

81% of critics liked it
(37 reviews)
64% of users liked it
(2,620 ratings)

In a ruthless battle for power, several yakuza clans vie for the favor of their head family in the Japanese underworld. The rival bosses seek to rise through the ranks by scheming and making allegiances sworn over saké. Long-time yakuza Otomo has seen his kind go from elaborate body tattoos and… More In a ruthless battle for power, several yakuza clans vie for the favor of their head family in the Japanese underworld. The rival bosses seek to rise through the ranks by scheming and making allegiances sworn over saké. Long-time yakuza Otomo has seen his kind go from elaborate body tattoos and severed fingertips to becoming important players on the stock market. Theirs is a never-ending struggle to end up on top, or at least survive, in a corrupt world where there are no heroes but constant betrayal and vengeance. -- (C) Magnet Releasing

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 49 min.
Directed By: Takeshi Kitano
Written By: Takeshi Kitano
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Dec 2, 2011 Limited
On DVD: Jan 31, 2012
Studio: Magnolia Pictures

Critic Reviews

Jon Frosch, The Atlantic
How can anyone can get excited over something so grim and redundant?
Tom Long, Detroit News
It's a gangster story, told well, with no punches pulled.
Ben Sachs, Chicago Reader
Kitano is clearly enjoying his powers as a master of the form, and the movie invites the viewer to share in his enjoyment.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
It's like a version of "Cinema Paradiso" where all the murders were saved up by a censor and strung together for a bloodbath.
William Goss, Film.com
It's retaliation without foundation, all fun and games until everyone gets hurt.
Ty Burr, Boston Globe
Kitano leaves it up to us to connect the dots. Unfortunately, he seems to get bored before he's done, and so do we.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Happily, Outrage is super-cool; it's inventive, funny, and shocking enough that it really doesn't matter much where Kitano has been. He's back now.
Kelly Vance, East Bay Express
Functions more as a reminder of past glories than as a harbinger of new concepts.
Calvin Wilson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
True Kitano fans will find its title sadly ironic.
Dave White, Movies.com
The film's engine chugs away, keeping up the solidly enjoyable frenzy of cruelty, with gangster turnover taking place so fast, so furiously that at times it's tough keep the alliances and betrayals straight.
Grae Drake, Movies.com
A swift kick in the soft parts sure to release some holiday tension.
Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews
Be warned that this is a violent movie, even for a gangster film, and Kitano relishes in depicting his characters' ruthlessness.
Glenn Lovell, CinemaDope
.. 'Macbeth' by way of 'Goodfellas,' a labyrinthine game of cat-and-mouse bathed in buckets of the red stuff ... a funny, subversive assault on the crime genre. Kitano's best since 'Sonatine.'
James Verniere, Boston Herald
Kitano's gangsters display enough ambition to make Macbeth blush.
Peter Keough, Boston Phoenix
A masterpiece of denied expectations - every act of vengeance happens too late to satisfy but just in time to spark more.
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion
If a bracing brew of criminal connivance and exquisite bloodletting is to your liking, Takeshi certainly provides it.

Read all 16 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Tsubaki S

Nobody retires of old age in this profession, the rituals of "brotherhood" are just another form of lying. Kitano visits once more the theme of yakuza as "manchilds", but it feels he's just going trough the motions of the genre. The violence feels dry, and not… More
Nobody retires of old age in this profession, the rituals of "brotherhood" are just another form of lying. Kitano visits once more the theme of yakuza as "manchilds", but it feels he's just going trough the motions of the genre. The violence feels dry, and not as effective or meaningful. Kitano's average effort is still better than most gangster flicks out there, but feel no rush to see this one.
Anthony L

Takeshi Kitano is back in Yakuza mode for Outrage - Notice how I didn't say 'Back to doing what he does best' though because as much as I love his violent gangster films, I also love his innocent and more artistic films, such as Hana-bi, Kikujiro and A Scene at the Sea.… More
Takeshi Kitano is back in Yakuza mode for Outrage - Notice how I didn't say 'Back to doing what he does best' though because as much as I love his violent gangster films, I also love his innocent and more artistic films, such as Hana-bi, Kikujiro and A Scene at the Sea. That aside, after his excellent Zatoichi remake and the fascinating experimental self-struggle that was Takeshis' - Outrage is probably what his hardcore following wanted (and I include myself in that demographic). It's not quite on par with Sonatine but it's better than your average Yakuza film, better and much more violent. It's very violent in fact but then no one does tender one minute and violent the next like Kitano. Rest assure though Beat fans, this may not be another Sonatine but it certainly isn't another Brother. Also, if you're new to the world of Takeshi, this isn't the worst place to start as long as you're not scared of a little blood!