The highly stylized and über-violent BATTLE ROYALE was a fitting swan song for director Kinji Fukasaku, whose mastery of the exploitation genre is on full display in this hugely influential cult-classic. Adapted from novel ‘Battle Royale’ by Japanese writer Koushun Takami, Fukasaku’s BATTLE ROYALE is a work that lies at the cinematic crossroads somewhere between ‘Lord of the Flies’ and A CLOCKWORK ORANGE – and is one of the Rio Theatre‘s most frequently requested titles.

While thematically very similar to both Suzanne Collins’ ‘The Hunger Games’ series and the movie franchise that followed, Fukasaku’s effort – which pre-dates THE HUNGER GAMES by over a decade – is far more vicious and illustrative in its savage use of seemingly endless, satiric brutality. Set sometime in the future, the film follows the brutal story of a class of ninth-grade students captured by the Japanese government, who forces them to kill each other under the revolutionary “Battle Royale” act.

“Some will be uncomfortable or appalled, and the mix of humour and horror is uneasy, but this isn’t a film you’ll forget easily. And, seriously, what would you do?” (Empire Magazine)

“BATTLE ROYALE is a controversial and violent parable of adolescence, heightening teenage melodrama with life-or-death stakes.” (Rotten Tomatoes)

“Stylistically it’s a beauty, with khaki-uniformed waifs fighting for their lives to a crashing classical score.” (The New York Post)

“Departing from two decades’ worth of domestic and personal dramas and returning to his roots as Japan’s maestro of mayhem, Kinji Fukasaku has delivered a brutal punch to the collective solar plexus with one of his most outrageous and timely films.” (Variety)

Friday, November 19
Doors 11:00 pm | Movie 11:20 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Advance tickets $15 HERE | $15 at the door

Advance tickets are recommended for all shows to ensure seating. Online sales for every screening automatically end 1 hour before any given showtime.

*Minors permitted in the balcony. Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service and main floor seating.
*Rio Theatre Groupons and passes OK for any single film screening only. Please redeem at the box office.
*If you are looking to redeem your tickets to either a canceled Rio Theatre screening or a Rio Theatre gift certificate, please email <[email protected]> with info including your name, canceled receipt number, gift certificate info, what you are wanting to see and when, and we can make the switch for you in advance. Alternately, you can bring this information with you to the venue, and we will do our best to help you at the box office.

In accordance with the Province of British Columbia’s current PHO from the Ministry of Health, all eligible patrons must present their proof of vaccine status for entry. No exceptions.

BATTLE ROYALE (Kinji Fukasaku, 2000 / 114 mins / 18A / In Japanese with English subtitles) 42 9th graders are sent to a deserted island. They are given a map, food, and various weapons. An explosive collar is fitted around their neck. If they break a rule, the collar explodes. Their mission: kill each other and be the last one standing. The last survivor is allowed to leave the island. If there is more than one survivor, the collars explode and kill them all.