The arthouse action genre is one that sets out to subvert the commercial action genre by making stylistic and complexly narrated stories. Originating in Asian and European cinema in the 1950s with directors like Akira Kurosawa, the arthouse style has lived on in modern-day directors such as Quentin Tarantino, Kathryn Bigelow, and Nicolas Winding Refn, all of whom make an appearance on this list.
These niche-marketed films may not have received the widespread appeal of your typical action movie but have nevertheless lived on as some of the finest pieces in cinema history. Come along as we examine the eleven best arthouse action movies of all time.
11The Hurt Locker (2008)
Kathryn Bigelow’sAcademy Award-winningmasterpiece,The Hurt Locker, examines the psychological impact of war on the members of an Iraq War Explosive Ordnance Disposal team when they become hunted by insurgents. Despite receiving criticism from actual Iraq War veterans for the accuracy with which the war on soldiers was portrayed. As a work of fiction, the movie was praised for its direction and the acting performances of those involved.
10Drive (2011)
Drivecould be described as the textbook definition of an arthouse action film. This 2011 adaptation of the James Sallis novel features Ryan Gosling as a stunt driver in Hollywood by day and a getaway driver by night. The stylized violence and non-linear storytelling are both hallmarks of a great arthouse action film, somethingDrivedoes incredibly well.
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9Léon: The Professional (1994)
Léon: The Professionalis a film that is bursting with style as director Luc Besson presents his arthouse version of New York City. The action thriller stands out for its performances, including one of thebest of Jean Reno’s career, as well as the feature film debut of 13-year-old Natalie Portman. This cult classic remains a fixture of the arthouse action genre twenty years after its initial release.
8Pulp Fiction (1994)
1994’sPulp Fictionis a melting pot of Hollywood’s history. Mixing elements like blaxploitation, Japanese period pieces, Roger Corman direction inspiration, postmodernism, and other big Hollywood terms all combined into one tremendous arthouse film that, despite its laundry list of inspirations, works flawlessly. Arthouse or not,Pulp Fictionhas all the makings of being thebest action film of the 1990s.
7Oldboy (2003)
Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook has enjoyed a 30-plus-year career and boasts an impressiveresume of films, withOldboystanding out among them. The hyper-violent revenge thriller is praised for its psychological characterizations, another hallmark of the arthouse action genre. The film would influence later 2000s work from Quentin Tarantino, who would citeOldboyas one of his favorite films.
The Sergio Leone classicThe Good, the Bad, and the Uglyis perhaps the greatest spaghetti western ever made. Starring Clint Eastwood, the film received near universal acclaim when it was first released in 1966. It is also a sneaky arthouse film, captivating audiences with incredible landscapes, and a superbly compelling narrative.
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5Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
Everything Everywhere All at Oncewas the darling of the 2022 award season, winning more than 250 awards worldwide, including best picture at the 95th Academy Awards. With a visually spellbinding narrative and emotionally charged performances from Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, and Key Huy Quan. This modern-day arthouse action film holds up to any that have preceded it or will follow it.
4Battle Royale (2000)
Japanese director Kinji Fukasaku helped define a decade in the hyper-violent action genre with his 2000 film,Battle Royale. With a controversial narrative, one consisting of adolescents being forced to fight one another to the death by the Japanese government. The film dives into this premise headfirst, crafting a visually stunning, blood-splattered,and culturally relevantmasterpiece.
3Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003)
Kill Bill Vol. 1is a blood-soaked, colorful comic book come to life. Drawing inspiration from several films on this list alone, director Quentin Tarantino mined the world of arthouse action to produce one of the most visually beautiful and uber-violent films of all time.Vol. 1and its follow-up standout in Tarantino’s filmography for all the right reasons.
2The Matrix (1999)
To say thatThe Matrixcompletely changed the game would be an understatement. Upon its release in 1999, the Wachowskis-directed action sci-fi film was unlike anything seen before on the big screen. Drawing inspiration from literary, film, and television works that had come before it.The Matrixcemented its place in cinematic history.
