The Art of Self-Defense

After a random street assault leaves him terrified and off balance, Casey seeks to regain control by learning to defend himself. He signs up at a modest local dojo run by a charismatic and enigmatic Sensei, drawn by the promise of practical skills and confidence. The lessons quickly grow more formal and isolating, shaping a tight inner circle that prizes ritual, secrecy, and a strict code of loyalty. As Casey sinks into this world, he discovers a troubling undercurrent beneath the surface of discipline and camaraderie. A fellow student named Anna challenges the male dominated environment, fighting for a voice and a sense of place, while the dojo's rituals reveal a darker logic behind the veneer of self defense.

Directed by Riley Stearns, The Art of Self-Defense is a lean, original screenplay brought to life on a 1.8 million budget. The 2019 film blends comedy and thriller elements, offering a sharply observed take on masculinity. The director favors quiet, clinical framing that heightens the sense of unease.

With a worldwide gross of 2.4 million, the film recoups its budget in a modest finish that fits its indie release strategy. It found most its audience through word of mouth and festival play rather than wide theatrical prestige. Its modest numbers nonetheless earned it favorable notices.

Critics highlighted the film's dry humor and its biting critique of ritualized violence and hypermasculine culture. Fans and commentators discuss how the dojo setting becomes a mirror for social power, belonging, and the costs of policing male identity. The movie has lingered in conversations about nontraditional heroism and the limits of control.

Reception has been steadily positive for the performances of Jesse Eisenberg as Casey and Imogen Poots as Anna, and for Riley Stearns's tension between deadpan humor and menace. The film probes identity, authority, and the price of security, refusing quick answers and inviting discussion.