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There are a lot of samurai movies on the Criterion Channel, ranging from the films of Akira Kurosawa to the long running series of “Zatoichi” and “Lone Wolf and Cub.” But none of them are quite like “Sword of Doom,” which centers on master swordsman and certified sociopath Ryunosuke Tsukue (Tatsuya Nakadai).
“Sword of Doom” plays like a horror movie centered on the villain. It’s kind of like “American Psycho,” except instead of an insecure businessman in the 1980s, we’re focused on a skilled swordfighter who believes he’s the best in the world. He uses his skills to kill without repercussions and take advantage of other swordsmen who fear his abilities.
Beyond the human evil of Ryunosuke, “Sword of Doom” also includes some hints of the supernatural that give the movie a sense of otherworldly evil. At one point, Ryunosuke is told that a brothel room is haunted, and he begins seeing ghosts that may or may not be real. Another swordsman also speaks of a connection between swords and the souls of their owners, stating, “Evil mind, evil sword,” which haunts Ryunosuke.
But not only is “Sword of Doom” a horrifying movie about a remorseless killer, it’s also an incredibly exciting action movie, especially in its latter half as Ryunosuke’s arrogance and evil deeds begin to catch up with him. The film’s finale, which shows him facing off with seemingly innumerable enemies, is one of the most exciting action sequences in samurai cinema.
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