Izo is an assassin in the service of a Tosa lord and Imperial supporter. After killing dozens of the Shogun's men, Izo is captured and crucified. Instead of being extinguished, his rage propels him through the space-time continuum to present-day Tokyo. Here Izo transforms himself into a new, improved killing machine.
Direction
Miike at his most unhinged — every frame screams.
Score
Kazuki Tomokawa's wailing folk guitar haunts throughout.
Editing
Disorienting time-jumps mirror Izo's fractured psyche.
Director
Takashi Miike
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Kazuya Nakayama was primarily a singer, not an actor — Miike cast him for his weathered face and physical presence.
Okada Izo was a real historical figure, a Tosa assassin executed in 1865; Miike transforms his martyrdom into purgatorial nightmare.
JP
