Ichi the Killer (2001)

In a world where loyalty and violence intermingle, Yakuza boss Anjo vanishes into thin air, taking with him a staggering 300 million yen. The disappearance sends shockwaves across his gang, spearheaded by the sadomasochistic Kakihara, who embarks on a relentless quest to unravel the mystery. The gang's brutal methods and thirst for answers, however, spark unease among rival Yakuza clans. A case of mistaken identity leads the search astray, with a hapless Yakuza member bearing the brunt of their ruthless interrogation tactics. The real key to the puzzle lies in the elusive Jijii, the informant whose tip-off had initially set the wheels in motion. In their pursuit of truth, the Yakuza gang stumbles upon an unexpected adversary - Ichi. Ichi, a sexually-repressed young man with a dark secret from his childhood, emerges from the shadows. His psychosis fuels an extraordinary prowess in martial arts, backed by lethal blades concealed within his shoes. As Ichi methodically eliminates members of the Yakuza, a cat and mouse game ensues with Kakihara, who thrives on pain, escalating his pursuit of the elusive Ichi and his puppeteer, Jijii. The plot thickens as a retired cop with a sinister agenda enters the fray, pulling Ichi's strings from behind the scenes. The stage is set for a climactic showdown, pitting Ichi's deranged violence against Kakihara's insatiable quest for pain. As the lines between hunter and hunted blur, one can't help but wonder - what will transpire when the tortured soul of Ichi finally faces off with the pain-addicted Kakihara?

Ichi the Killer is an action movie featuring Tadanobu Asano and directed by Takashi Miike.

Ichi the Killer is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Peacock, Peacock Premium, Plex, Plex Player, The Roku Channel, Tubi TV and Xumo Play and it's also available on Hi-YAH.

It is also possible to buy Ichi the Killer on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store, Vudu and YouTube or rent it on Spectrum On Demand.