Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- mythic
- dramatic
- stylized
- action movie night
- samurai film marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film a dull, overproduced fantasy adventure whose international cast was trapped in one-dimensional roles and whose Hollywood treatment departed sharply from the Japanese tale.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Kai is a young half-breed adopted into Lord Asano's castle and later joins the ronin's revenge mission.
The Akō Incident and ronin revenge tradition are reworked through the Witch, enchantment, and fantasy adventure elements.
The samurai remain bound to Lord Asano and pursue revenge despite the Shogun's prohibition and the cost of seppuku.
Castles, samurai armor, katana combat, magical settings, and the Witch create an elaborate heightened visual world.
Films like 47 Ronin, and why
The Last Samurai
samurai action, revenge, feudal Japanese setting, and disciplined warrior ensemble
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
stylized martial-arts action, wuxia-influenced fantasy, and tragic revenge themes
The Twilight Samurai
Japanese historical epic centered on loyalty, honor, and collective revenge
King Arthur: Legend of the Sword
mythic fantasy adventure with elaborate production design and a wronged hero pursuing justice
Movie Details
- Director
- Carl Rinsch
- Release Date
- 2013-12-06
- Runtime
- 119 min
- Rating
- 6.2 / 10 (4266)
Cast
- Keanu Reeves
- Hiroyuki Sanada
- Ko Shibasaki
- Tadanobu Asano
- Min Tanaka
- Rinko Kikuchi
- Jin Akanishi
- Masayoshi Haneda
- Hiroshi Sogabe
- Takato Yonemoto
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads, Starz Apple TV channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is 47 Ronin about?
- A half-breed warrior joins disgraced samurai in a magical feudal Japan to avenge their fallen lord and restore their honor.
- What is 47 Ronin like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of 47 Ronin as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is 47 Ronin violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in 47 Ronin as moderate.
- What did critics think of 47 Ronin?
- Critics broadly found the film a dull, overproduced fantasy adventure whose international cast was trapped in one-dimensional roles and whose Hollywood treatment departed sharply from the Japanese tale.
- Which films are like 47 Ronin?
- Films with a similar feel include The Last Samurai, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, The Twilight Samurai, and King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.
- How long is 47 Ronin?
- 47 Ronin runs 119 minutes.
- Where can I watch 47 Ronin?
- In United States, 47 Ronin streams on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads, Starz Apple TV channel.
