Take a look at that still up there. If it takes your fancy, then the ever-prolific Takashi Miike’s latest, Yakuza Apocalypse, is probably for you. If not, turn back now.

Gloriously trashy, Yakuza Apocalypse revels in its own madness as Yakuza, vampires, god-like figures in frog costumes and knitting come violently together in what is surely the most bonkers, out-there film of the year.

The regular fight scenes are well-choreographed and slickly shot, while a rich vein of absurdist humour runs throughout. Individual enjoyment of this deranged piece of exploitation cinema will depend entirely on your tolerance for the ridiculous.

Treading that very fine line between the sublime and the ridiculous, Yakuza Apocalypse draws deeply from both pools. It’s utter madness.

RATING: 3/5

INFORMATION

CAST: Hayato Ichihara, Yayan Ruhian, Rirî Furankî, Mio Yûki

DIRECTOR: Takashi Miike

WRITER: Yoshitaka Yamaguchi

SYNOPSIS: In the ruthless underground world of the Yakuza, Kageyama (Ichihara) must step into the shoes of his murdered boss and claim the city for his own.

Yakuza Apocalypse was screened as part of the Cult Gala at the 2015 London Film Festival.