
Ryuzaki, an editor of Muscle Magazine, which features photographs of men with sculpted bodies, becomes involved with a man named Kitami; their affair soon becomes dominated by sadomasochistic games, with a horrid result. Jump ahead one year, Ryuzaki is released from jail and goes in search of Kitami, perhaps to make amends.
Directed by Hisayasu Satō, Muscle leans on a strong ensemble — Takeshi Itō, Simon Kumai, Kiyomi Itō — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.
The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about thriller titles of 1989.
Read More on the Blog
Loading reviews…
A businessman, Tsuda, runs into a childhood friend, Kojima, on the subway. Kojima is working as a semiprofessional boxer. Tsuda soon begins to suspect that Kojima might be having an affair with his fiancée Hizuru. After an altercation, Tsuda begins training rigorously himself, leading to an extremely bloody, violent confrontation.
Get weekly picks and blog posts in your inbox.
Live availability isn't tracked for this title yet — try these popular platforms: