The Art of Self Defense

The movie opens with Casey Davies eating alone in a diner. A French couple nearby plays a game imagining what kind of person Casey is, highlighting his social awkwardness. He later practices French phrases in his car, revealing his desire to communicate better and his sense of vulnerability.

Casey works as an accountant and tries to interact with coworkers, but comes off as awkward and is brushed off. He lives alone with his small dog, which he notices is out of food, indicating a solitary, routine life. This establishes his solitude and mild social ineptness.

While on his way to buy pet food, Casey is approached by two men on motorcycles who ask if he has a gun. Later, they and other assailants chase and beat him unconscious, marking a violent turning point in his life. He awakens in the hospital, fearful for his safety.

After his mugging, Casey feels threatened and watches a gangster movie, which leads him to try purchasing a firearm. He visits a gun store but is informed about the background check and waiting period, illustrating his desire for self-defense and increased vulnerability.

Casey visits a karate dojo and observes a class being taught by Sensei. He becomes interested in learning martial arts, believing it might help him become more confident and able to defend himself. He is invited to join the dojo to start lessons.

Casey starts as a white belt, attending classes and practicing basic moves like punches and kicks. He spars with other students, experiencing initial difficulties, but begins to embrace the discipline and camaraderie of the dojo. Sensei emphasizes the importance of strength and weakness in fighting.

Casey is promoted to a yellow belt, indicating progress in his training. Meanwhile, he expresses a desire to become more assertive and confronts his fears, including his trauma from the mugging. Sensei encourages him to explore night classes to further his skills.

In night classes, Casey witnesses brutal demonstrations by Sensei, including the disqualification of Anna after she retaliates physically. He becomes more immersed in the dojo's intense environment, which blurs the line between martial arts and violence.

Casey resumes work, adopting a more assertive but aggressive attitude. He insults coworkers and gets fired after punching his boss. Sensei offers him a job at the dojo as an accountant, symbolizing a shift from his passive life to a more combative persona.

Casey tracks down one of his attackers, causing him to fall and hit his head, but is horrified when he finds his dog has been kicked and dies. This event fuels Casey’s obsession with vengeance and marks his descent into darker actions.

Feeling betrayed, Casey deliberately breaks dojo rules and accuses Sensei of killing his dog. Sensei confronts him physically, escalating tensions. Casey then receives a German shepherd to train, symbolizing his desire for dominance and control.

Casey joins a motorcycle run with Sensei and others. Anna gets shot by an undercover cop, and Casey kills the officer in self-defense. He earns a red stripe on his belt for taking a life, marking his graduation into a more deadly form of martial arts.

Casey discovers the dojo’s crematorium, Henry’s hanging body, and tape recordings revealing Sensei, Anna, and Thomas attacked him. It’s revealed they staged events as part of a sinister plan under Sensei’s control to manipulate and reform troubled students.

Casey confronts Sensei, calling him by his real name Leslie, and threatens to kill him. He then pulls out a gun, shoots and kills Sensei during a duel, symbolizing his final rebellion against his former mentor’s oppressive rule.

Following Sensei’s death, Casey leaves the dojo’s body on display and frees Anna from Sensei’s control. He trains his German shepherd to exact revenge, leading it to rip out Thomas’s throat. Casey then promotes Anna to black belt and begins teaching the kids, signaling a new chapter of his life.