IMDb RATING
6.7/10
2.8K
YOUR RATING
Five men plot to steal a large sum of money from the local yakuza, but everything does not go as planned and the men find themselves hunted down by contract killers.Five men plot to steal a large sum of money from the local yakuza, but everything does not go as planned and the men find themselves hunted down by contract killers.Five men plot to steal a large sum of money from the local yakuza, but everything does not go as planned and the men find themselves hunted down by contract killers.
- Awards
- 2 nominations total
Takeshi Kitano
- Ichiro Kyoya
- (as Beat Takeshi)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
The Five (1995), directed by Takashi Ishii, is a dark and thrilling crime drama that keeps its audience on edge from start to finish. The film follows five men who plan to steal a large sum of money from the local yakuza, only for their plot to unravel in unexpected and dangerous ways. As the men are hunted by contract killers, the tension escalates, leading to a series of unpredictable twists and turns. The film effectively combines elements of action, crime, and suspense, offering a gritty and compelling ride.
The performances by the ensemble cast, including Kôichi Satô, Masahiro Motoki, and Jinpachi Nezu, stand out. Each actor brings depth and authenticity to their character, capturing the fear, desperation, and camaraderie of the group. The characters are flawed and morally ambiguous, which adds layers to the narrative and makes the stakes feel personal. While their motivations aren't always fully explored, their performances do enough to establish emotional stakes, making the audience invested in their fate.
Takashi Ishii's direction is sharp and purposeful, drawing out the tension in both quiet and explosive moments. The pacing of the film, while occasionally slow during reflective scenes, keeps building toward the inevitable chaos. The narrative does not shy away from violence, which is depicted in a raw and unflinching manner, adding to the harsh realism of the world the characters inhabit. This intensity is one of the film's strong points, as it keeps viewers on edge, unsure of what will happen next.
The cinematography is dark and moody, perfectly capturing the grim atmosphere of the yakuza underworld. The stark visuals enhance the sense of danger and moral ambiguity surrounding the characters. The film's visual style complements the grim tone of the story, creating an immersive experience that pulls the viewer into its world of betrayal, desperation, and violence.
The Five is a well-executed crime thriller that delivers both tension and unpredictability, though its focus on action and violence may overshadow deeper character development for some viewers. Nonetheless, the strong performances and gripping narrative make it an engaging film for fans of the genre.
Rating: 7/10. A tense and compelling crime thriller with strong performances and unpredictable twists, but its reliance on violence may detract from emotional depth.
The performances by the ensemble cast, including Kôichi Satô, Masahiro Motoki, and Jinpachi Nezu, stand out. Each actor brings depth and authenticity to their character, capturing the fear, desperation, and camaraderie of the group. The characters are flawed and morally ambiguous, which adds layers to the narrative and makes the stakes feel personal. While their motivations aren't always fully explored, their performances do enough to establish emotional stakes, making the audience invested in their fate.
Takashi Ishii's direction is sharp and purposeful, drawing out the tension in both quiet and explosive moments. The pacing of the film, while occasionally slow during reflective scenes, keeps building toward the inevitable chaos. The narrative does not shy away from violence, which is depicted in a raw and unflinching manner, adding to the harsh realism of the world the characters inhabit. This intensity is one of the film's strong points, as it keeps viewers on edge, unsure of what will happen next.
The cinematography is dark and moody, perfectly capturing the grim atmosphere of the yakuza underworld. The stark visuals enhance the sense of danger and moral ambiguity surrounding the characters. The film's visual style complements the grim tone of the story, creating an immersive experience that pulls the viewer into its world of betrayal, desperation, and violence.
The Five is a well-executed crime thriller that delivers both tension and unpredictability, though its focus on action and violence may overshadow deeper character development for some viewers. Nonetheless, the strong performances and gripping narrative make it an engaging film for fans of the genre.
Rating: 7/10. A tense and compelling crime thriller with strong performances and unpredictable twists, but its reliance on violence may detract from emotional depth.
After all you only need three words to describe "Gonin" apt:
DARK
YAKUZA
THRILLER
Got it?!? If you want to know more check out my following review: A very explosive film indeed that seems if director Takashi Ishi had crossed Hollywood examples like "Reservoir Dogs" and "Thing to do in Denver when you´re dead", and added some stylish pictures and typical Asian gun violence to the result. "Gonin" is distinguished by a sinister and hopeless atmosphere as well as the great performances of his main actors. Once more, the appearance of the unique Takeshi Kitano makes the whole film!
Maybe not the greatest movie of Japan´s 1990s cinema, but still a great work and better than 90 % of all those Tarantino rip-off gangster flicks which come from America!!!
DARK
YAKUZA
THRILLER
Got it?!? If you want to know more check out my following review: A very explosive film indeed that seems if director Takashi Ishi had crossed Hollywood examples like "Reservoir Dogs" and "Thing to do in Denver when you´re dead", and added some stylish pictures and typical Asian gun violence to the result. "Gonin" is distinguished by a sinister and hopeless atmosphere as well as the great performances of his main actors. Once more, the appearance of the unique Takeshi Kitano makes the whole film!
Maybe not the greatest movie of Japan´s 1990s cinema, but still a great work and better than 90 % of all those Tarantino rip-off gangster flicks which come from America!!!
I watched Gonin about 3 times by now and still I have to say that it is a great movie even if evaluated under different perspectives. Each character is a profound mixture of different shapes. Out of a certain kind of despair every person in the movie develops its unique behaviour which is a result of their lifes they were living. Gonin includes many interesting themes such as homosexuality, childhood, fear and last but not least what life can make out of every person when it crushes upon you. Lately it appeared to me as if the modern hero has to be an introvert ruthless killer without emotion and basically I have to say that those tendencies are found in Gonin as well - Although it is rather an antihero who is presented in Gonin by the actor Takeshi Kitano in the role of the killer taken into service by the Yakuza-boss. The most remarkable scene as far as I'm concerned is the one where the story of the weird man, having lost his job, comes back home after they had stolen the money from the Yakuza. Gonin is a movie with great suspense and, if watched carefully, with profound and emotional content.
This film by Takashi Ishii should be more well known.
A night club owner, a extortionist, a pimp, an insane business man, and an ex-cop come together to create the title's team of Five to rob the Yakuza. As the film goes on, they are hunted by two pro killers that are seemingly around every corner.
The story itself is nothing groundbreaking, but the style makes it worth it. There are several elements Ishii uses to create this solid crime thriller.
The overall cinematography is excellent, presenting dark shadowy shots, which reflect the film's dark tone and settings.
The characters are also well done, each one's backstory slowly revealed as the film goes on. They're fairly unique and interesting, enough so that the audience can sympathize. Each actor puts on a satisfactory performance that is pretty realistic.
The soundtrack combined with the great directing constructs genuinely unsettling scenes.
Some parts here and there are a teeny tiny bit forced, but can be easily forgiven.
Many of this film's viewers come to see Takeshi Kitano, but he's only a small part of the whole thing. If you're disappointed, there is much more to this picture to look forward to. It's one of Beat Takeshi's best films he only acts in.
Ishii is well known for his manga art, but that should not over shadow his film making capability. I have not seen Gonin 2, but look forward to seeing it. He is know releasing a third, Gonin Saga which I am excited for.
A night club owner, a extortionist, a pimp, an insane business man, and an ex-cop come together to create the title's team of Five to rob the Yakuza. As the film goes on, they are hunted by two pro killers that are seemingly around every corner.
The story itself is nothing groundbreaking, but the style makes it worth it. There are several elements Ishii uses to create this solid crime thriller.
The overall cinematography is excellent, presenting dark shadowy shots, which reflect the film's dark tone and settings.
The characters are also well done, each one's backstory slowly revealed as the film goes on. They're fairly unique and interesting, enough so that the audience can sympathize. Each actor puts on a satisfactory performance that is pretty realistic.
The soundtrack combined with the great directing constructs genuinely unsettling scenes.
Some parts here and there are a teeny tiny bit forced, but can be easily forgiven.
Many of this film's viewers come to see Takeshi Kitano, but he's only a small part of the whole thing. If you're disappointed, there is much more to this picture to look forward to. It's one of Beat Takeshi's best films he only acts in.
Ishii is well known for his manga art, but that should not over shadow his film making capability. I have not seen Gonin 2, but look forward to seeing it. He is know releasing a third, Gonin Saga which I am excited for.
The first Takashi Ishii movie I watched was his excellent rape/revenge thriller 'Freezer', but his reputation as an exciting director with a lot of potential mainly rests on his yakuza movies, of which 'Gonin' is perhaps the best known. This is a really impressive movie, very dark, strange and violent. The bare bones of the plot - a group of guys decide to rob some gangsters, the gangsters vow revenge - is one that we have seen many, many times before in American movies, but Ishii manages to put a fresh spin on it, with unusual characters, and consistently original direction. I was fascinated from beginning to end. The ensemble cast are all excellent, but the most memorable performances are by Naoto Takenaka (who later appeared in 'Freezer', and Tsukamoto's astonishing 'Tokyo Fist'), who plays the unhinged salaryman Ogiwara, and cult figure Beat Takeshi, who plays Kyoya, the ruthless eyepatched hitman. Takeshi steals every scene he is in, and plays one of the nastiest characters of his career, only really topped by the psycho he played in his own 'Boiling Point'. 'Gonin' is highly recommended to anyone who enjoys doomed caper films, a genre that has its fair share of classics from 'Bob Le Flambeur' and 'The Killing' to 'Reservoir Dogs' and 'The Usual Suspects'. Add 'Gonin' to the list of those crime classics. Yes, it's that good!
Did you know
- TriviaTakeshi Kitano's eye patch was real; before filming, he made a serious accident with his motorcycle and resulted an injury at his eye.
- Alternate versionsJapanese Laserdisc contains the 119 min. Director's Cut of the movie, approx. 10 Minutes longer than the international version. Additional scenes show more character development as well as some extra shots of violent scenes. Somehow interesting, this version omits the ending of the movie, when the killer and the last one left of the "Gonin" die in their seats at the bus while the bus driver and the small group of young women enters the bus and they all drive away with the two unrecognized dead men. This cut seems to be made because the full length ending wouldn't have fit on the second side of this laserdisc.
- ConnectionsFollowed by Gonin 2 (1996)
- SoundtracksAkai hana
Written by Masafumi Matsubara and Masato Sugimoto
Performed by Naomi Chiaki
Courtesy by Teichiku Records
- How long is The Five?Powered by Alexa
- What are the differences between the Theatrical Version and the Japanese Extended Edition?
Details
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content
