Raizo Ichikawa stars as a farmer who is drafted by samurai to become the third double of a warlord (also played by Ichikawa). At first, the perks are nice, but soon enough the pitfalls of the occupation come to light - particularly after the lord loses his left eye during battle. The sequence where the three doubles realize what's going to happen to them afterward is as terrifying as any horror movie. It's the film's best sequence, but it's very good beyond that, too. Like most samurai flicks, the horrible ironies keep growing and growing until the final frame. I did think it got a tad contrived near the end, but it doesn't detract much from its overall power. This is available on Hulu Plus.

Japanese cinema is celebrated for its refined minimalist dramas and avant-garde experimentation; it also introduced popular genres like jidaigeki (samurai epics), kaiju, and anime. Across both high art and mass entertainment, it often explores morality, impermanence, and the pressures of modern life.

Hidetoshi Nishijima and Tôko Miura in Drive My Car (2021)

The period drama subgenre transports audiences to the past, immersing them in historical contexts and offering insights into the lives, relationships, and challenges of characters from different time periods.

Emma Watson, Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, and Eliza Scanlen in Little Women (2019)

The action genre features fast-paced, thrilling, and intense sequences of physical feats, combat, and excitement. The characters of these stories are involved in daring and often dangerous situations, requiring them to rely on their physical prowess, skills, and quick thinking to overcome challenges and adversaries.

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

A warlord's retainer offers a farmer the chance to become a samurai, but he is instead forced to serve as a double of the warlord at expense of his freedom.

Masayo Banri, Raizô Ichikawa, and Hizuru Takachiho in The Third Shadow Warrior (1963)

The Biggest Movies and TV Coming in September

"The Gentlemen" and "Slow Horses" return this fall, while the "Reacher" spin-off series "Neagley" makes its debut. See our guide of the biggest Fall TV and streaming releases.

2026 Fall TV and Streaming Watch Guide

&quot;The Gentlemen&quot; and &quot;Slow Horses&quot; return this fall, while the &quot;Reacher&quot; spin-off series &quot;Neagley&quot; makes its debut. See our guide of the biggest Fall TV and streaming releases.

Get a closer look at these actors from their many TV and streaming series roles.

Streaming Stars, Then and Now

Toshirō Mifune in Samurai Rebellion (1967)

Jerry Fujio, Jō Shishido, and Chitose Kobayashi in A Colt Is My Passport (1967)

Chiezō Kataoka in Bloody Spear at Mount Fuji (1955)

Tatsuya Nakadai in Cash Calls Hell (1966)

Raizô Ichikawa in The Third Shadow Warrior (1963)

The Third Shadow Warrior

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