While the film has received mixed reviews for its slow-burn pacing and graphic violence, it stands out for several reasons:
Unlike many LGBTQ+ films that focus on the discovery of identity, Ride or Die treats the central relationship as a high-stakes, "all-in" thriller. It’s a rare piece of representation in Japanese cinema that doesn't shy away from being dark and complicated. The Verdict: Is It For You? Ride or Die (2021)
What follows isn’t exactly a traditional "romance." It’s a "toxic romance" born out of a shared trauma, as the two women go on the run through urban and rural Japan. Why It’s Worth the Watch While the film has received mixed reviews for
Road Trip to Nowhere: The Beautiful, Brutal World of Ride or Die (2021) What follows isn’t exactly a traditional "romance
Most road trip movies are about finding yourself. Netflix’s Ride or Die (2021) is more about losing yourself in someone else. Based on the manga series Gunjō by Ching Nakamura, this Japanese psychological thriller is a raw, messy, and visually stunning exploration of love pushed to its absolute breaking point. A Love Built on a Blood Oath
The story kicks off with a heavy premise: Rei (Kiko Mizuhara), a woman who has been in love with her former classmate Nanae (Honami Sato) for years, discovers that Nanae is living in a nightmare of domestic abuse. When Nanae asks for help, Rei takes the ultimate leap—she murders Nanae’s husband to set her free.
