The Art of Self-Defense

Casey Davies, an accountant, feels out of place in his unwelcoming workplace. His struggle for acceptance lays the foundation for his journey of self-discovery.

One night, Casey is viciously attacked by a group of individuals at the supermarket. This traumatic encounter leaves him shaken and in need of time to heal.

In light of his trauma, Casey contemplates buying a firearm for protection. His search for empowerment leads him to a nearby karate dojo, sparking a pivotal change in his life.

Casey attends a free trial class at the dojo run by Sensei. Intrigued by the atmosphere and philosophy of martial arts, he decides to immerse himself into dojo life.

At the dojo, Casey meets Anna, a skilled brown belt, and Henry, a blue belt student. They become important figures in his journey as he begins training.

As Casey trains diligently, his hard work pays off when he receives a promotion to yellow belt, impressing both his peers and Sensei. However, this achievements highlight the growing tension around promotions.

When Casey attends night classes, he witnesses the harsh realities of martial arts. The experience shakes him as he sees Henry suffer a broken elbow during a violent demonstration.

Anna challenges the perception that she cannot succeed as a female instructor by defeating Thomas, a newly promoted black belt. This victory highlights her determination and strength.

Under Sensei's guidance, Casey becomes more assertive and aggressive. His newfound bravado leads to a violent altercation with his boss at work, resulting in his termination.

After confiding in Sensei about his trauma, Casey is urged to take revenge on one of his attackers. A moment of fury leads to a devastating and wrongful act that has severe consequences.

Returning home after his mishap, Casey finds his beloved dog unconscious. A vet visit reveals the heartbreaking news of its death, propelling him into a spiral of anger and confusion.

Casey and Anna become embroiled in a scheme gone awry, targeting unsuspecting individuals. The situation escalates tragically when they discover one of their targets is an undercover officer.

In a fit of rage after Anna is shot, Casey makes a fateful decision and takes a life, under Sensei's approving gaze. This moment signifies a turning point in his descent into violence.

Determined to uncover the dojo's dark secrets, Casey finds evidence of a crematorium and a corpse, realizing that Sensei was connected to the gang that attacked him.

Casey confronts Sensei in a climactic duel, escalating their conflict to a dramatic conclusion. In a shocking act, Casey ends Sensei's life, leaving him as the new leader of the dojo.

As the new leader, Casey promotes Anna to black belt, enabling her to teach a philosophy rooted in compassion over aggression. He finally finds his purpose in guiding the next generation.