Ghost Of Tsushima: 10 Samurai Films You NEED To Watch First

Dispassionate killing, wanton nihilism, and senseless violence - Sword Of Doom plays it differently than other samurai films from the era. Gone is the notion of nobility or fighting for honor as it's twisted and corrupted by amoral fencing student Ryunosuke Tsukue. He lives life expressionless and void of emotion without a care for anyone else. The only thing he cares for is himself and his goal of becoming the greatest swordsman. Glorified violence is out the window as the film depicts violence as shocking and something to turn away from.

Tsukue's road to perdition begins with the killing of a Buddhist pilgrim praying for death at an altar as he abides without mercy. Not too long after, he kills a fellow student in a duel in self-defense along with the student's clansmen as they try to stop him.

Like the pale white horse, Tsukue leaves a trail of death and insanity everywhere.

Slowly he slips into insanity after the countless senseless murders billow up and begin to haunt his consciousness. With the words of a master swordsman reverberating in his mind: "The sword is the soul. Study the soul to know the sword. Evil mind, evil sword", Tsukue descends.

Sword of Doom is an existential film that's one part Dostoyevky's Crime And Punishment and one part art house samurai action. It's as bloody as it is thought-provoking and is one of the bleakest depictions of a man straying so far from his humanity.