Director: Kazuya Shiraishi
Notable Cast: Takayuki Yamada, Taiga Nakano, Ukon Onoe,
Riho Sayashi, Takara Sakumoto, Seiji Chihara, Amane Okayama, Yuya Matsuura,
Hayate Ichinose, Ryota Oyanagi, Chikara Motoyama, Shuhei Nomura, Shunsuke
Tanaka, Satoru Matsuo, Fuga Shibazaki
It’s a cinematic samurai tradition by now. The story of a
rogue’s gallery of anti-heroes, overcoming their differences, their pasts, and
their fears to stand together for one last good thing. Although Seven
Samurai has been remade and/or influenced thousands upon thousands of films
in all genres, there is certainly a case to be made that this kind of samurai
story still stands as one of the best kinds of stories to watch, even in 2025.
In the vein of classics such as the previously mentioned
Akira Kurosawa picture, 47 Ronin, or 13 Assassins, the latest
film from director Kazuya Shiraishi, 11 Rebels, will easily become a
modern favorite of the genre. It’s brash in some of its narrative choices,
particularly in its third act, and it features some incredible performances and
action set pieces that set it apart from other action flicks this year. 11
Rebels is brutal in more ways than one, but hits its mark with remarkable
efficiency even when it's treading on well-worn paths.