After he's attacked on the street at night by a roving motorcycle gang, timid bookkeeper Casey (Jesse Eisenberg ZOMBIELAND, THE SOCIAL NETWORK) joins a neighborhood karate studio to learn how to protect himself. Under the watchful eye of a charismatic instructor, Sensei (Alessandro Nivola, AMERICAN HUSTLE), and hardcore brown belt Anna (Imogen Poots, GREEN ROOM), 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. Audacious and offbeat, The Art of Self-Defense is an original dark comedy that takes toxic masculinity to absurd extremes.

"Those with properly tuned sensibilities will not only get on its wavelength quickly, but will find themselves hungry for breath between laughing fits." (CinemaBlend)

"An instant offbeat comedy classic." (Birth.Movies.Death.)

"'The Art of Self-Defense' grapples compellingly with modern American masculinity -- and serves as an outstanding calling card for writer-director Riley Stearns." (Rotten Tomatoes)

"'The Art of Self-Defense' may be presented as an absurdist satire, but like the best American comedies... it doubles as a keen critique of our national character." (Variety)

Tuesday, September 3 Final Encore Screening!
Doors 8:15 pm | Movie 8:45 pm
Advance tickets $10.50 | $12.50 at the door

*Minors permitted in the balcony. Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service and main floor seating.
**Rio Theatre Groupons and passes OK! Please redeem at the door.

THE ART OF SELF-DEFENSE (Riley Stearns, 2019 / 104 mins / 14A) Casey is attacked at random on the street and enlists in a local dojo led by a charismatic and mysterious Sensei in an effort to learn how to defend himself. What he uncovers is a sinister world of fraternity, violence and hypermasculinity and a woman fighting for her place in it.