Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai
1999 · Movie · R · 117 min · ★ 7.3 · 76% critics
A disciplined Black hitman lives by an old samurai code while working for a mob in New Jersey. After a job goes wrong, his employers turn on him, pushing him into a deadly conflict between loyalty and survival.
Also known as Ghost Dog: Der Weg des Samurai · Ghost Dog: La Voie du samouraï
Where to watch
Streaming on HBO Max and Cinemax.
2 hours to watch.
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Details
- Years
- 1999
- Release date
- 1999-10-06
- Language
- English
- Rated
- R
- Runtime
- 117 min
- Critic score
- 76/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.3/10 (1,403 votes)
- Box office
- $9,392,768
- Budget
- $2,000,000
About
You’ll likely enjoy this quiet, stylish blend of mob drama and samurai-inspired honor, especially if you like the contemplative mood of Dead Man and Down by Law; Not for you if slow, philosophical crime stories feel like a slog.
Pros: mesmerizing central performance; samurai code atmosphere; fun genre blend | Cons: mob portrayal may feel cartoonish; pacing can feel slow; some characters miscast
Themes
- hip-hop
- new jersey
- hitman
- mission of murder
- revenge
- mafia
- park
- pigeon
- hagakure
- ice cream
- haitian
- cd player
- +7 more
Cast & crew
Forest Whitaker
as Ghost Dog
John Tormey
as Louie
Cliff Gorman
as Sonny Valerio
Frank Minucci
as Big Angie
Richard Portnow
as Handsome Frank
Tricia Vessey
as Louise Vargo
Henry Silva
as Ray Vargo
Gene Ruffini
as Old Consigliere
Frank Adonis
as Valerio's Bodyguard
Victor Argo
as Vinny
Directed by Jim Jarmusch