The Art of Self-Defense
2019 · 104 min · Director: Riley Stearns
Show plot summary (may contain spoilers)
After he's attacked on the street at night by a roving motorcycle gang, timid bookkeeper Casey (Jesse Eisenberg) joins a neighborhood karate studio to learn how to protect himself. Under the watchful eye of a charismatic instructor, Sensei (Alessandro Nivola), and hardcore brown belt Anna (Imogen Poots), Casey gains a newfound sense of confidence for the first time in his life. But when he attends Sensei's mysterious night classes, he discovers a sinister world of fraternity, brutality and hyper-masculinity, presenting a journey that places him squarely in the sights of his enigmatic new mentor.
Emotional fingerprint
The Art of Self-Defense (2019) — Movie. Top emotional signals: Humor 30%, Confusion 25%, Disturbing 20%. Source: AI estimate. Shares describe emotional signal, not percentages of people. Your experience may differ. How we measure
- Humor30%
- Confusion25%
- Disturbing20%
- Anxiety15%
- Satisfaction10%
AI estimate · no viewer votes yet
How we measure
AI estimate
Share of emotional signal, not the percentage of people or a probability of enjoyment.
Each viewer contributes one response, split equally across their selected emotions. When available, an automated estimate supplies a prior that is blended with those responses. Counts include distinct viewers, not automated estimates or archived anonymous votes. Fewer than 3 viewers is an early estimate; more responses do not guarantee certainty.
Why it feels this way
The strongest emotional signals are Humor, Confusion, Disturbing. Genres: Comedy, Crime, Action. AI estimate.
Is it worth watching?
Consider this title if you are looking for Humor, Confusion and Disturbing. Its IMDb rating of 6.6/10 suggests a generally positive audience reception. For these leading emotions, its Feel Score is 68/100.
How did it make you feel?
Votes are saved to the fingerprint once you’re signed in.
Pick up to three · 0/3
Emotional journey
- Tension
- Disturbing
- Fear
Not enough subtitle evidence
No dominant emotion
Dominant emotion: Humor
Dominant emotion: Tension
Dominant emotion: Fear
Dominant emotion: Disturbing
Dominant emotion: Sadness
Dominant emotion
| % | Approximate minute | Dominant emotion | Overall intensity | Tension | Disturbing | Fear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 % | ≈ 3′ | Humor | 53 % | 30 % | 20 % | 23 % |
| 7.5 % | ≈ 8′ | Tension | 62 % | 51 % | 35 % | 46 % |
| 12.5 % | ≈ 13′ | Fear | 58 % | 49 % | 31 % | 43 % |
| 17.5 % | ≈ 18′ | Humor | 50 % | 32 % | 21 % | 20 % |
| 22.5 % | ≈ 23′ | Humor | 47 % | 25 % | 19 % | 11 % |
| 27.5 % | ≈ 29′ | Humor | 43 % | 22 % | 15 % | 10 % |
| 32.5 % | ≈ 34′ | Humor | 45 % | 24 % | 15 % | 12 % |
| 37.5 % | ≈ 39′ | Humor | 48 % | 33 % | 24 % | 18 % |
| 42.5 % | ≈ 44′ | Humor | 50 % | 39 % | 36 % | 19 % |
| 47.5 % | ≈ 49′ | Disturbing | 60 % | 49 % | 54 % | 26 % |
| 52.5 % | ≈ 55′ | Disturbing | 66 % | 56 % | 61 % | 35 % |
| 57.5 % | ≈ 60′ | Tension | 60 % | 54 % | 53 % | 31 % |
| 62.5 % | ≈ 65′ | Tension | 66 % | 56 % | 57 % | 30 % |
| 67.5 % | ≈ 70′ | Sadness | 77 % | 61 % | 69 % | 34 % |
| 72.5 % | ≈ 75′ | Tension | 80 % | 70 % | 73 % | 45 % |
| 77.5 % | ≈ 81′ | Disturbing | 85 % | 80 % | 79 % | 61 % |
| 82.5 % | ≈ 86′ | Disturbing | 86 % | 83 % | 79 % | 61 % |
| 87.5 % | ≈ 91′ | Tension | 83 % | 76 % | 73 % | 46 % |
| 92.5 % | ≈ 96′ | Disturbing | 69 % | 51 % | 55 % | 27 % |
| 97.5 % | ≈ 101′ | Not enough subtitle evidence | 52 % | 24 % | 30 % | 11 % |
Cinderella
Rags to riches: The emotional tone rises from negative to positive.
Riches to rags: The emotional tone falls from positive to negative.
Man in a hole: The tone falls, then recovers.
Icarus: The tone rises, then falls.
Cinderella: The tone rises, falls, then rises again.
Oedipus: The tone falls, rises, then falls again.
AI reading of the film’s English subtitles (dialogue and sound cues) — not viewer votes. How we measure ↗
Afterward Reveal viewer responses · may contain spoilers
Viewer responses about feelings after the title ended, separate from feelings while watching. No AI estimates.
0 responses so far
Feeling details appear after at least 3 viewers respond, to protect privacy.
Cast
Thomas
Steve
Other Steve
Gun Store Owner
Grant
Bakery Woman
New White Belt
Pickup Truck Driver
French Girl
Veterinarian
Manuel
Store Cashier
French Guy
Man Wearing Pants
Details
- Directed by
- Riley Stearns
- Written by
- Riley Stearns
- Type
- Movies
- Released
- 2019
- Runtime
- 104 min
- Country
- United States
- Ratings
- Feels mostly
- Humor
- Data updated
Where to watch
Free
Rent
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