The Art of Self-Defense (2019 film)

The Art of Self-Defense is a 2019 dark comedy film, written and directed by Riley Stearns. It stars Jesse Eisenberg, Alessandro Nivola, and Imogen Poots.

It had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 10, 2019. It is scheduled to be released on July 12, 2019, by Bleecker Street.

Premise
Casey is a young man who after a rough encounter on the street decides to take up martial arts in order to better protect himself, falling more and more into his paranoia in the process.

Cast

 * Jesse Eisenberg as Casey Davies
 * Imogen Poots as Anna
 * Alessandro Nivola as Sensei
 * David Zellner

Production
In May 2016, it was announced Mary Elizabeth Winstead had joined the cast of the film, with Riley Stearns directing from a screenplay he wrote. In September 2017, it was announced Jesse Eisenberg, Imogen Poots and Alessandro Nivola joined the cast of the film, with Andrew Kortschak, Cody Ryder, Stephanie Whonsetler and Walter Kortschak serving as producers on the film, while Bleecker Street distributed the film.

Principal photography began on September 11, 2017, in Kentucky.

Release
It had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 10, 2019. It is scheduled to be released on July 12, 2019.