The Eel (1997): cast, story & where to watch
1997 · Film · ★ 6.9
Released in 1997, The Eel is a drama film directed by Shōhei Imamura, running about 117 minutes.
What it’s about. A businessman kills his adulterous wife and is sent to prison. After the release, he opens a barbershop and meets new people, talking almost to no one except an eel he befriended while in prison.
Who’s in it. The Eel stars Koji Yakusho as Takuro Yamashita, Misa Shimizu as Keiko Hattori, Akira Emoto as Tamotsu Takasaki and Fujio Tokita as Jiro Nakajima, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.9/10, The Eel 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 The Eel page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Eel tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Eel (1997)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Eel change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Eel worth watching?
- The Eel holds an audience score of 6.9 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Eel?
- The Eel stars Koji Yakusho, Misa Shimizu, Akira Emoto, Fujio Tokita and Show Aikawa.
- When was The Eel released?
- The Eel was released in 1997, with a runtime of about 117 minutes.