MW (2009): cast, story & where to watch
2009 · Film · ★ 6.2
Released in 2009, MW is a thriller, drama and science fiction film directed by Hitoshi Iwamoto, running about 129 minutes.
What it’s about. A live-action adaptation of Osamu Tezuka’s mature manga masterpiece MW (pronounced “moo,” like a cow), created to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Tezuka. When a top secret chemical compound called MW infects an island near Okinawa, the military is sent in to kill all the victims and cover up the incident. A survivor named Michio Yuki (Hiroshi Tamaki) grows up to become a highly-successful banker, but he is slowly being driven mad by the effects of MW. After committing a series of ruthless crimes to get revenge against the people responsible for the cover-up, he decides that the only way to truly get revenge is to unleash MW on the world and exterminate the entire human race. Takayuki Yamada stars as Father Garai, a priest desperately trying to save Michios soul—and possibly his own in the process—but not necessarily doing much to stop the crime spree.
Who’s in it. MW stars Hiroshi Tamaki as Michio Yuki, Takayuki Yamada as Yutaro Garai, Rio Yamashita as Mika and Yusuke Yamamoto as Mizobata, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.2/10, MW has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch MW page.
If you liked it. Fans of MW tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Pulp Fiction, Parasite and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch MW (2009)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for MW change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is MW worth watching?
- MW holds an audience score of 6.2 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy thriller, drama and science fiction. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in MW?
- MW stars Hiroshi Tamaki, Takayuki Yamada, Rio Yamashita, Yusuke Yamamoto and Toru Kazama.
- When was MW released?
- MW was released in 2009, with a runtime of about 129 minutes.