Ghost Of Tsushima: 10 Samurai Films You NEED To Watch First
7. Lone Wolf And Cub: Baby Cart At The River Styx
An exploitation favorite, the Lone Wolf And Cub series never fails to deliver in its samurai gore and carnage. The second film in the series, Lone Wolf And Cub: Baby Cart At The River Styx, stands as a balance between the outlandish gore the series is known for and its art house stylings, tight plotting, and rich character motivation to bring it all together.
Protagonist Ogami Ittō and his three year-old son Daigaro wander from town to town in the countryside as assassins for hire. However, things get complicated as Ogami's nemesis, the Shadow Yagyū, sends spies from the Kurokawa clan to watch his every move. His travels bring him to a clan specializing in an indigo dye that gives them economic leverage and sustainability with its secret ingredient. He's tasked by the clan to eliminate a rogue clan member who seeks to sell the secret to the Shōgun. It isn't an easy task with vicious bodyguards protecting him and assassins ambushing the duo at every corner.
In between all the chaos and blood flying left and right are well realized character building and moments of calm that makes the plight of the film's main players all the more worth caring for. Quiet introspection permeates the film as Ogami and Daigaro catch their breath and during these moments can simply be themselves, bonding as father and son.
It's a unique samurai film that's unlike other exploitation films as it balances extreme violence and tender human moments almost effortlessly.