Black Rain

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2:18

Black Rain

R

1989

2h 5m

Crime

Drama

Action

Adventure

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

56%

Tomatometer

25 Reviews

55%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

New York City policemen Nick (Michael Douglas) and Charlie (Andy Garcia) witness a murder in a bar and quickly apprehend the assailant. The killer, named Sato (Yusaku Matsuda), is a member of Japan's infamous Yakuza mob, and Nick and Charlie must transport the gangster back to Osaka for his murder trial. There, Sato's fellow gangsters free him from police custody, forcing Nick and Charlie to scour Japan's dangerous underworld of organized crime in search of their fugitive.

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Critics Consensus

Black Rain has its fair share of Ridley Scott's directorial flair, but its paint-by-numbers story never rises above genre conventions.

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Joe Clay

The Times (UK)

Dec 14, 2022

It’s full of cultural clichés and implausible plot twists, but Scott’s vision of modern-day Osaka as a glittering, futuristic metropolis is dazzling.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Aug 1, 2001

2/4

Even given all of its inconsistencies, implausibilities and recycled cliches, "Black Rain" might have been entertaining if the filmmakers had found the right note for the material.

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Jack E. Wilkinson

United Press International

Jun 12, 2026

Director Ridley Scott has taken a rather routine, predictable story and fashioned a stylish, entertaining though violent wall-to-wall action adventure.

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Josh Mooney

Movieline

Sep 16, 2025

This cop action-thriller is the epitome of style without substance.

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Jul 11, 2022

Analyzing it would be like giving a lobotomy to a pea. But as the waiter or chef would say, eat in silence. [Full review in Spanish]

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Peter Bowen

OutWeek

May 19, 2020

A rather xenophobic tale of American cops fighting Japanese crime.

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Ben W

@Username618 May 27, 2026

Remember enjoying, but was young and didn't know what a midlife crisis was- sorry, Michael!

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Romas M

@Romas May 23, 2026

Greetings from Lithuania. "Black Rain" (1989) is the movie that I haven't seen up until 2026 for the first time. I am a fan of Ridley Scott's movies, yet this one just never was on my radar. After seeing it 2026 I'm sure I haven't missed much. I did enjoy this movie because of how it looked. Cinematography, set design are top notch. Directing by Ridley Scott is good, but it is clear that he was of a "director for hire" for this one. This film lacks ambition, scope and vision - qualities that were present in previous Scott film and future. Performances were good, but nothing to write home about. Story is OK. Overall, visually "Black Rain" looks good, while story wise it is your typical action flick from late 80's. So many talented people behind and front of camera can do better than this. Still, an enjoyable flick for what it is.

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Krys L

@Kl005 Mar 15, 2026

They just keep saying "babe" over and over again. Make it stop.

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vezna v

@RT15615635 Nov 20, 2025

. Michael Douglas plays an obnoxious j#rk of a cop treating the local Japanese with disrespect. THE story is highly improbable. It is mildly entertaining. Action thriller type story.

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Massimo B

@MassimoSPQR Nov 15, 2025

Gripping, engaging, and entertaining. This movie delivers in scenic Japan. Michael Douglas and Andy Garcia bring powerhouse performances in this thriller. Highly recommended

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Frazer H

@RT22088491 Nov 7, 2025

Excellent movie, tight action, shows how confused an American is in Japan. sure it's a classic cops and robbers story. The old American Cop (Micheal Douglas) is badly compromised but still determined to get a good result. Andy Gracia the young cop is still learning the ropes. There is some quick cultural points briefly visited about Japanese culture and the mob. The photography is sublime often dark and raining Japan. Anyone how can't see that this film is a great classic is probably thinking about the clear demonstration of the corruption of the culture of the USA Vs Japan.

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Ridley Scott

Director

Michael Douglas

Det. Sgt. Nick Conklin

Andy Garcia

Det. Charlie Vincent

Ken Takakura

Asst. Insp. Masahiro Matsumoto

Kate Capshaw

Joyce

Yusaku Matsuda

Sato

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Synopsis

New York City policemen Nick (Michael Douglas) and Charlie (Andy Garcia) witness a murder in a bar and quickly apprehend the assailant. The killer, named Sato (Yusaku Matsuda), is a member of Japan's infamous Yakuza mob, and Nick and Charlie must transport the gangster back to Osaka for his murder trial. There, Sato's fellow gangsters free him from police custody, forcing Nick and Charlie to scour Japan's dangerous underworld of organized crime in search of their fugitive.

Director: Ridley Scott
Producer: Stanley R. Jaffe, Sherry Lansing
Screenwriter: Warren Lewis
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Pegasus Film Partners
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama, Action, Adventure, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 22, 1989, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 11, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $44.9M
Runtime: 2h 5m
Sound Mix: Surround, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track, Dolby SR, Stereo
Aspect Ratio: 35mm

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