London picked up a major highlight when Sang-il Lee’s Kokuho arrived at Vue Islington in May 2026, a story of conflict and culture through the yakuza and kabuki spanning five decades.
“This film is so special even Tom Cruise couldn’t stop himself from admiring it” FandomWire
“Exceptional … must see on the Big Screen … every actor is extraordinary … takes you inside a Japanese artform … elegant direction … a personal story and a cultural experience we can all identify with”
Tom Cruise
Directed by Sang-il Lee, Kokuho made its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival before moving on to Toronto, Shanghai, Busan, and Palm Springs as an official selection. This level of global recognition placed the film among the year’s most anticipated Japanese releases.
Kokuho at Vue Cinema London: Islington
- Address
- 36 Parkfield St, London N1 0PS, United Kingdom
- Admission
- £9.99
- Starts
- May 8, 2026
- Ends
- May 13, 2026
More about the event
- Running Time
- 2 hr 55 min
- Age Rating
- 15+
- Language:
- Japanese with English subtitles
- Setting
- 1964 Nagasaki to modern Japan
- Laser projection with upgraded seating options for a more immersive watch
- A limited London run of three screenings
What is Kokuho about?
What does it cost to devote your life to art? Kokuho takes that question and uses it as a framework for the film, following Kikuo Tachibana, the son of a yakuza boss, on an unexpected path into the world of kabuki performance. After personal tragedy reshapes his future, Kikuo trains under a master and rises to become one of his generation’s defining stars. Through this film, director Sang-il Lee displays further proof of his track record in handling complex emotional material.
Spanning 50 years of Japanese history, this large-scale drama looks beyond a simple rise to fame, focusing instead on how discipline, recognition, and artistic pursuit can reshape a person over time. With its rich visual style and narrative, Kokuho is built for the cinema, best experienced on one of the UK’s largest screens. It’s a film to sit with, uninterrupted.
Kabuki (歌舞伎) and cultural tension at the heart of the film
One of Kokuho’s defining elements is its portrayal of kabuki (歌舞伎), a classical Japanese theatre tradition known for its stylised performance, elaborate costumes, and strict lineage systems. Within the film, kabuki is treated as a demanding discipline that shapes every aspect of the protagonist’s life.
This world contrasts sharply with the yakuza (ヤクザ) structure Kikuo is born into, creating a tension between inherited identity and chosen path. The film uses this contrast to explore how systems of power, whether criminal or cultural, shape the individual.
Yakuza narratives in Japanese cinema
Japanese cinema has long engaged with yakuza storytelling, but Kokuho redirects the focus away from action-driven crime narratives. Instead, it looks at legacy, obligation, and emotional inheritance.
Rather than portraying the yakuza world through violence alone, the film examines what it means to leave that structure behind, and what remnants still follow a person who tries to step away from it.
Ryo Yoshizawa, Ryusei Yokohama and Ken Watanabe in the cast
Ryo Yoshizawa leads the film, with Ryusei Yokohama alongside him. Their contrast does a lot of the work in the chemistry between them. Yoshizawa holds things back, while Yokohama brings a more direct, instinctive energy.
The supporting cast adds depth and doesn’t fade into the background. Mitsuki Takahata and Nana Mori bring small but telling shifts to the relationships, while Shinobu Terajima, Min Tanaka, and Ken Watanabe ground the film with authority that comes from years of experience on screen.
There isn’t a single performance trying to dominate. The way the cast works together keeps the film engaging from start to finish.
Sang-il Lee’s slow-burn direction
In a crowded cinema landscape, Kokuho stands out for its ambition. Sang-il Lee takes time to develop character and atmosphere, allowing the story to unfold with intention. This approach has already connected with international audiences, and it’s exactly why the film travelled across major festivals before it arrived in London.
For viewers seeking something beyond mainstream releases, Kokuho offers a different and more rewarding payoff.
Kokuho at Vue Islington, 9 to 13 May 2026
Screenings at Vue Islington took place on:
- Saturday 9 May at 19:30
- Monday 11 May at 19:30
- Wednesday 13 May at 19:30
For anyone looking for a film that stays with you long after the credits roll, Kokuho is worth catching on the big screen whenever it returns, and our Kokuho explainer covers the film in more depth.
