BAD LIEUTENANT: TOKYO Trailer Reaction | Takashi Miike Goes WILD!

Japanese Cinema and Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo

Kathy and Burk Sauls open by celebrating Japanese cinema, from anime and One Piece to classic Japanese noir. They then turn to Takashi Miike’s Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo, comparing its premise with the Harvey Keitel original and the Nicolas Cage version. They note that the series gives actors room to portray deeply damaged characters and wonder how Miike will uncover a dark underworld in a city they otherwise adore.

Trailer Impressions

The hosts aren’t sure exactly what the story is from the trailer, but its images make a strong impression. They praise the dramatic lighting, neon colors, shadows, and carefully composed shots. They also discuss a chaotic fight in a dark restaurant, noting how difficult it is to make background action feel convincing.

The lead appears menacing and exhausted, and the hosts are intrigued by the film’s grim, distinctly Japanese atmosphere.

Plot and Comparisons

After checking the plot, they describe it as a story about a compromised Tokyo cop with a serious gambling problem who joins an FBI agent investigating the disappearance of a politically connected American woman. A brutal killer tied to the Yakuza is also watching them.

The setup reminds the hosts of The Silence of the Lambs crossed with Bad Lieutenant, as well as an American “fish out of water” navigating Japan. One host jokes that gambling is “always bad.”

The Poster

The hosts are amused by a much lighter-looking poster. Its white background and pink accents feel unexpectedly quirky, almost like a John Hughes movie or Pretty in Pink. They point out the contrast between the characters’ “weapons”—his cigarette and her gun—and wonder whether the image is a teaser or an international poster.

Despite the unclear plot, both hosts are excited to watch the film.

People Mentioned

• Hosts: Kathy and Burk Sauls
• Discussed in relation to the film: Takashi Miike, Shun Oguri, and Lily James