The Return (2019): cast, story & where to watch

2019 · Film · ★ 10

The Return poster

Released in 2019, The Return is a drama and history film directed by Shigemichi Sugita, running about 119 minutes.

What it’s about. Tatsuya Nakadai, the world’s greatest living actor, returns to the screen in a brilliant adaptation of a story by novelist Shuhei Fujisawa. A traveling gambler known as “Funeral Uno” he is now 86 years old and returning to his hometown for the first time in 30 years. Partly told in flashbacks, he is forced to face his lifelong nemesis, Boss Kyuzo, a vile yakuza portrayed by another superstar of samurai cinema, Atsuo Nakamura! Before the two old gamblers can settle a 30-year-old score they must put their lives on the line in a game of dice that can only lead to a bloody sword duel the likes of which has never before been seen! Superb performances all around in a film loaded with surprises and exciting swordplay!

Who’s in it. The Return stars Tatsuya Nakadai, Takako Tokiwa, Kazuki Kitamura and Misato Tanaka, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 10.0/10, The Return sits among the best-reviewed titles in the catalogue.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Return page.

If you liked it. Fans of The Return tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.

Frequently asked

Where can I watch The Return (2019)?
Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Return change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
Is The Return worth watching?
The Return holds an audience score of 10.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and history. Most viewers rate it highly.
Who stars in The Return?
The Return stars Tatsuya Nakadai, Takako Tokiwa, Kazuki Kitamura, Misato Tanaka and Aki Maeda.
When was The Return released?
The Return was released in 2019, with a runtime of about 119 minutes.