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13 Assassins

Play trailer Poster for 13 Assassins R 2011 2h 6m Action Adventure History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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95% Tomatometer 129 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
In this remake of a 1963 film based on historical events, Shinzaemon Shimada leads a team of assassins in 19th-century Japan to eliminate the ruthless Lord Naritsugu Matsudaira, who is wreaking havoc against his own people. Hired secretly by a government official hoping to end Matsudaira's reign of terror, Shimada recruits the best samurai in Japan and then sets a trap for the lord's large contingent of faithful bodyguards.
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13 Assassins

13 Assassins

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Critics Consensus

Takashi Miike's electric remake of Eiichi Kudo's 1963 period action film is a wild spectacle executed with killer, dizzying panache.

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Critics Reviews

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Tom Mes Film Comment Magazine Nov 7, 2013
Culminates in a riveting, ingeniously plotted, and inventively shot 45-minute battle scene. Go to Full Review Jim Schembri The Age (Australia) Sep 14, 2011
3.5/5
The excessive mind of Japanese director Takashi Miike (Audition; Ichi the Killer) throttles back the gore to deliver a disciplined, refreshingly grounded samurai action film. Go to Full Review Paul Byrnes Sydney Morning Herald Sep 9, 2011
4/5
13 Assassins looks at honour from many angles, without becoming simplistic. Ichii hasn't lost his edge after all. Go to Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Jun 7, 2023
3.5/4
Miike has delivered one of his very best films. Go to Full Review Jason Adams My New Plaid Pants Jul 2, 2021
"13 Assassins could end up being Miike's masterpiece. It's that good." Go to Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Nov 30, 2020
7/10
It's clear that the exhilarating 50-minute climax battle is both the director's forte and his primary passion. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad 2 days ago 13 Assassins = a 4.5 star Movie... See more Ashequl I @Tofa13 Aug 7, 2026 Takashi Miike’s 13 Assassins (2010) is a thrilling homage to classic jidaigeki cinema that delivers a gritty, authentic look at samurai honor and sacrifice. Set in late Edo-period Japan, the story follows a secret band of warriors recruited to stop a cruel, sadistic lord before he gains total political power. While the early dialogue is heavy on exposition and the large ensemble leaves a few assassins with thin character development, the film excels at building immense tension. Everything culminates in a mind-blowing, 45-minute village ambush that stands as one of the finest action set-pieces ever filmed. Brilliantly directed and visceral from start to finish, it is a must-watch for genre fans. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Nov 22, 2025 Based on actual events in Japan in 02 hours, 05 minutes, and 05 seconds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Some Disturbing Images, Sequences of Bloody Violence and Brief Nudity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Copyright 2011-2025 Magnet Releasing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more victor w @RT03643624 Nov 14, 2025 Brilliant sets of Japan two centuries ago. The movie is full of violence, which I usually abhor, but violence in this setting I can handle. Ultimately it's a feel good movie, not so common in this day and age. See more Mark R @markricks Oct 19, 2025 Just got finished playing Ghost of Yotei. Perfect time to watch this classic. For those that don't know the game has a setting called "Miike Mode" which adds more mud and blood. A nod to the legendary Takashi Miike, obviously See more Kofi T @RT05954185 May 19, 2025 Best samurai film ever. See more Read all reviews
13 Assassins

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Cast & Crew

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Takashi Miike

Director

Kôji Yakusho

Shinzaemon Shimada

Takayuki Yamada

Shinrouko

Yusuke Iseya

Koyata

Goro Inagaki

Lord Naritsugu Matsudaira

Mikijirō Hira

Sir Doi

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13 Assassins

(L-R) Mikijiro Hira as Sir Doi and Koji Yakusho as Shinzaemon Shimada in "13 Assassins." (L-R) Masachika Ichimura as Hanbei Kitou and Koji Yakusho as Shinzaemon Shimada in "13 Assassins." A scene from "13 Assassins." (L-R) Masachika Ichimura as Hanbei Kitou and Koji Yakusho as Shinzaemon Shimada in "13 Assassins." (L-R) Yusuke Iseya as Koyata and Takayuki Yamada as Shinrouko in "13 Assassins." A scene from "13 Assassins." A scene from "13 Assassins." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In this remake of a 1963 film based on historical events, Shinzaemon Shimada leads a team of assassins in 19th-century Japan to eliminate the ruthless Lord Naritsugu Matsudaira, who is wreaking havoc against his own people. Hired secretly by a government official hoping to end Matsudaira's reign of terror, Shimada recruits the best samurai in Japan and then sets a trap for the lord's large contingent of faithful bodyguards.
Director
Takashi Miike
Producer
Minami Ichikawa, Tôichirô Shiraishi, Michihiko Yanagisawa
Screenwriter
Daisuke Tengan
Distributor
Magnet Releasing
Production Co
Recorded Picture Company (RPC), Dentsu, Toho Company Ltd., TV Asahi, Asahi Broadcasting Corporation
Rating
R (Some Disturbing Images|Sequences of Bloody Violence|Brief Nudity)
Genre
Action, Adventure, History, Drama
Original Language
Japanese
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 29, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 7, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$802.5K
Runtime
2h 6m
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