Throne of Blood (1957)

In the shadowy labyrinth of the Spider's Web forest, two victorious generals - Taketoti Washizu and Yoshiaki Miki - find themselves adrift after a grand triumph on the battlefield. Their path intersects with a spectral seer, a harbinger of fate, who unveils a prophecy: Washizu will ascend the throne of the Spider's Web castle while Miki's son is destined to follow in his footsteps. Disbelief initially clouds their minds, but their skepticism starts to wane as the first chapter of the prophecy unfolds with their promotions. As Washizu grapples with his newfound status, his ambition for power remains dormant, overshadowed by his humble desires. However, Asaji, his wife, is a woman of potent ambition. She stirs the latent lust for power within Washizu, urging him to seize the throne that the prophecy promises. The couple embarks on a dark journey, manipulated by fate and their own ambition. A surprise visit from the current Great Lord presents an opportunity wrapped in danger. Washizu, now commander of the vanguard, is reminded by Asaji of the perilous edge on which he balances. The pressure of prophecy and ambition mounts, pushing Washizu into a vortex of action, accelerating them towards an inevitable, haunting climax. Throne of Blood weaves a tale of prophecy, ambition, and the intoxicating allure of power, where destiny is a spider's web, ensnaring those who dare to dream too boldly.

Throne of Blood is a drama movie featuring Toshirō Mifune and directed by Akira Kurosawa.

Throne of Blood is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Plex and Plex Player and it's also available on Criterion Channel and Max Amazon Channel.

It is also possible to buy Throne of Blood on Amazon Video and Apple TV.