The Art of Self-Defense

The Art of Self-Defense is a dark comedy directed and scripted by Riley Stearns, released in 2019. The film stars charismatic Jesse Eisenberg, along with talented Alessandro Nivola and dynamic Imogen Poots. A mundane world of normalcy and commonplace experiences transforms into an arena of ruthless karate disciples, personal confrontations, and a protagonist's quest for masculinity and identity.

Jesse Eisenberg stars as Casey Davies, a socially recluse and desolate thirty-something-year-old. Casey's world revolves around his day job as an accountant, his world is orderly, predictable, and characteristically dull. His demure nature, lack of self-confidence, and introverted aura frequently lead to him becoming the target of workplace bullying. His fears and anxiety peak when he is brutally mugged by a biker gang one fateful night descending him into paranoia. Struggling to regain control of his life, Casey discovers a local karate dojo run by a charismatic and enigmatic sensei, charmingly played by Alessandro Nivola.

Nivola's Sensei invites Casey into a world of machismo, discipline, and a bizarrely profound love for all things manly—an antithesis to Casey's everyday life. Under the stern guidance of his mentor, Casey begins to transform, adapting to an incarnation of hypermasculinity that Sensei embodies. Eisenberg does an admirable job portraying the timid Casey that slowly builds up newfound courage and self-assurance as he masters the martial art.

Imogen Poots plays Anna - the dojo's sole female member, a brown belt who proves to be more adept and skilled than many of her male counterparts. Poots delivers an exceptional performance, revealing her character's true skill as a martial artist, patiently waiting for recognition in a male-dominated world.

Director Riley Stearns explores masculinity and its numerous stereotypes by metaphorically comparing them with martial arts discipline. The film delves into the world of martial arts; its raw power, the ethos, and the hard-hitting life truths associated with it. The director uses dry humor and a deadpan tone to add a comic relief to the otherwise grave narrative.

The Art of Self-Defense is also a scathing satire on toxic masculinity. Stearns manages to question, challenge, and caricature notions of manliness and machismo in contemporary society, presenting a disturbing portrayal of a toxic culture that demands aggressive masculinity.

Despite featuring a prominently recurring theme of toxic masculinity, the film trains its focus on Eisenberg's character. It portrays his personal journey from a timid, reticent person to someone stepping into an exaggerated version of manliness, along the way exploring his fears, insecurities and bouts of 'unmanliness'. His interactions with Anna also paint an intriguing picture of gender roles and biases, often highlighting the unfair standards and expectations forced upon both genders.

The film's set design, especially the dojo's environment, is remarkable; it creates a convincing ambience that mirrors the regimented life of martial artists. The film's soundtrack further complements the narrative with its percussive beat syncing with the film's tempo.

The Art of Self-Defense has a carefully curated ensemble that delivers incredible performances. Jesse Eisenberg, known for his somewhat bookish roles, presents a unique take on his stereotypical character - it is fascinating to watch him in the realm of martial arts. Alessandro Nivola, as the stony-faced yet amusing sensei, delivers a performance layered with ambiguities and complexities. Last but not least, Imogen Poots, who skillfully depicts the dilemma of a woman struggling in a male-dominated society.

Stearns adds a final touch to the film with an unpredictable plot twist, delivering an impressive ending without losing the thematic elements of the story. Of course, no spoilers here, but it's safe to say the climax will leave you pleasantly surprised.

Packed with dry humor, sharp dialogues, and memorable performances, The Art of Self-Defense is a film that makes you question, laugh, and ponder about societal norms, identity and self-image, all while viewing it through the lens of martial arts. It offers a satirical unravelling of masculinity, its misconceptions, and expectations, candidly highlighted in the backdrop of a karate dojo.