STAHELSKI / DOSCHER’S ‘KARŌSHI’ TO MAKE A CORPORATE KILLING?

Some films announce themselves months in advance with all the subtlety of a parade and national event – others may have similar star-power and ambition, but appear with far less fanfare, only making themselves known with a shorter wait-time.

So, you could be somewhat forgiven for not knowing a lot about Lionsgate‘s KARŌSHI.

Yet.

The credentials are strong and plentiful.  In between duties on tweaking his work on the Highlander reboot – due next year – and ongoing interests regarding John Wick,  Chad Stahelski is producing the film which has been written and directed by Takashi Doscher (probably best known for 2019’s post-apocalyptic ONLY and his short films, podcast series and individual television episodes such as Chicago PD).

Even the quickest view of KARŌSHI‘s trailer shows the huge scale and ambition of this latest project and the style should be of interest to Highlander fans, especially given the samurai and sword-work involved.

The story is set in a near-future is near-future Manhattan, shaped as much by eastern values as western history it deals with the cost and impact of corporate loyalty and cultural traditions. After a worker falls to his death from the city’s high skyscraper, a mysterious outsider infiltrates the most powerful company in the city and begins to expose the violent system hidden beneath its polished surface.  The film stars Teo Yoo (Past Lives), Isabel May (Scream 7), Takehiro Hira (Shōgun), Bill Camp (Presumed Innocent), Show Kasamatsu (Tokyo Vice) and other major players including Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad) and Cynthia Erivo (Wicked).

The film has just released that first trailer and a stylish poster promoting the 5th February 2027 release (previously dated for January 29) and the 88-minute running time suggests a brisk, fast-paced thriller.