The Foot Fist Way
A delusional small-town Tae Kwon Do instructor spirals through humiliation, heartbreak, and celebrity worship while trying to reclaim the authority he performs every day.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- sardonic
- abrasive
- cringe-inducing
- midnight movie
- indie comedy night
What critics said
Critics found the film's rough-edged martial arts comedy alternately funny and uncomfortable, with generally favorable but divided overall reception.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Fred's bullying, boastful demonstrations, and repeated public failures generate laughter through embarrassment and discomfort.
Fred constantly asserts his power and status while unraveling after Suzie leaves and his authority is challenged.
Fred relishes being the unquestioned ruler of his Tae Kwon Do school and abuses people who threaten that position.
Fred idolizes B-movie star Chuck The Truck Wallace and organizes a pilgrimage to meet him at a Tae Kwon Do convention.
Films like The Foot Fist Way, and why
The Art of Self-Defense
shared abrasive dark comedy, insecure masculinity, and cringe-driven character study
Napoleon Dynamite
shared offbeat small-town comedy, delusional ambition, and socially uncomfortable humor
Black Dynamite
shared martial arts parody, outsider protagonists, and irreverent physical comedy
Observe and Report
shared dysfunctional male friendship, absurd bravado, and rough-edged independent comedy
Movie Details
- Director
- Jody Hill
- Release Date
- 2008-05-30
- Runtime
- 83 min
- Rating
- 5.7 / 10 (153)
Cast
- Danny McBride
- Ben Best
- Mary Jane Bostic
- Jody Hill
- Collette Wolfe
- Spencer Moreno
- Carlos Lopez
Where to watch in United States
- 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 The Foot Fist Way about?
- A delusional small-town Tae Kwon Do instructor spirals through humiliation, heartbreak, and celebrity worship while trying to reclaim the authority he performs every day.
- What is The Foot Fist Way like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Foot Fist Way as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Foot Fist Way violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Foot Fist Way as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Foot Fist Way?
- Critics found the film's rough-edged martial arts comedy alternately funny and uncomfortable, with generally favorable but divided overall reception.
- Which films are like The Foot Fist Way?
- Films with a similar feel include The Art of Self-Defense, Napoleon Dynamite, Black Dynamite, and Observe and Report.
- How long is The Foot Fist Way?
- The Foot Fist Way runs 83 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Foot Fist Way?
- In United States, The Foot Fist Way is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
