Janus Films began the U.S. theatrical release of Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s The Samurai and The Prisoner on July 31, 2026, opening the film in New York and Los Angeles before expanding to additional U.S. cities throughout August.
The historical mystery stars Masahiro Motoki as Lord Murashige Araki, who finds himself trapped inside a besieged castle while investigating a series of murders with the help of the imprisoned strategist Kanbei Kuroda, played by Masaki Suda. Yuriko Yoshitaka co-stars as Chiyoho.
Combining a period drama with a murder mystery, the film centers on rising tensions inside the castle during a military siege, forcing rival figures to work together in search of the killer before the fortress falls.
Watch the trailer:
Directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, the film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2026, before opening in Japan on June 19, 2026. It marks the director’s first samurai film and adapts the novel by Honobu Yonezawa.
The U.S. release is being handled by Janus Films following its acquisition of domestic distribution rights ahead of the Cannes premiere. The initial engagement includes screenings at major arthouse venues, with additional theatrical bookings scheduled during August as the release expands nationwide.
Janus Films: https://www.janusfilms.com/films/2343
