Blue Tiger (1994)
A mother's grief becomes a deadly obsession in this gritty revenge thriller set against the shadowy world of the Japanese yakuza.
Blue Tiger - Movie Information
- Original Title: Blue Tiger
- Release Year: 1994
- Directed by: Norberto Barba
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Action, Thriller
- Runtime: 1h 28m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: Japanese, French
- Release Date (Theatrical): April 3, 1994 (Japan - USA-R)
- Alternative Titles: Irezumi (JP), 蓝虎 (CN)
- Production Companies: First Look International
- Production Countries: United States of America
Blue Tiger - Plot
Gena is a sweet and dedicated mother to her little son. One day, whilst shopping with him for a halloween mask, her son is accidently shot through the chest by a Japanese Gunman, trying to kill an opposing gang of bus operators. Gena notices that the gunman has a picture of a blue tiger on his chest. She is turned into an obsessed person and has an identical red tiger etched into her skin. She then tracks down the killer and plots his death. This leads her into the world of the Japanese Mafia
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Blue Tiger - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Norberto Barba
Main Cast
- Virginia Madsen
- Toru Nakamura
- Dean Hallo
- Ryo Ishibashi
- Sal Lopez
- Yuji Okumoto
- Harry Dean Stanton
- Brenda Varda
- François Chau
- Henry Mortensen
Writers
- Joel Soisson
Producers
- Aki Komine
- Michael Leahy
Blue Tiger - FAQs
What is Blue Tiger about?
Blue Tiger follows Gena, a devoted mother whose young son is accidentally shot dead during a yakuza gang confrontation. Consumed by grief and rage, she has a red tiger tattoo etched onto her skin to mirror the blue tiger on the gunman's chest, then plunges into the dangerous world of the Japanese mafia to hunt him down.
What does the tiger tattoo symbolize in Blue Tiger?
The blue tiger tattoo on the yakuza gunman's chest becomes Gena's obsession and her target. By having a red tiger tattooed on her own skin, she transforms her grief into a physical mark of vengeance — a mirror image that binds her to the killer and signals her total commitment to revenge.
Where can you stream Blue Tiger?
You can stream Blue Tiger on Amazon Prime Video, The Roku Channel, Tubi TV, Hoopla, and Fawesome at no extra cost. It's also available with ads on Fandango at Home Free and Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads, or you can rent or buy it through Amazon Video.
Is Blue Tiger based on a true story?
No, Blue Tiger is not based on a true story. It's an original screenplay by Joel Soisson that blends a mother's revenge narrative with the world of the Japanese yakuza. While the yakuza elements draw on real criminal culture, the characters and plot are entirely fictional.
Who stars in Blue Tiger?
Virginia Madsen leads the cast as the grieving, vengeance-driven Gena. She's joined by Toru Nakamura, Ryo Ishibashi, Yuji Okumoto, and the legendary Harry Dean Stanton. The supporting cast also includes François Chau, Sal Lopez, and Dean Hallo, rounding out a solid ensemble.
Is Blue Tiger worth watching for revenge thriller fans?
If you enjoy gritty, character-driven revenge thrillers with a yakuza backdrop, Blue Tiger is a solid pick. Virginia Madsen delivers a committed performance, and the film's exploration of grief turning into obsession gives it more emotional weight than a typical action-revenge picture of its era.
What are some movies similar to Blue Tiger?
Fans of Blue Tiger tend to enjoy other revenge-driven thrillers like Death Wish (1974), Colombiana (2011), Seeking Justice (2011), and Black Rain (1989). The Yakuza (1974) is another great companion piece if you're drawn to the film's Japanese crime underworld setting.
Who directed Blue Tiger and who wrote it?
Blue Tiger was directed by Norberto Barba and written by Joel Soisson. Barba brings a stylish, atmospheric touch to the material, while Soisson's script keeps the focus tightly on Gena's emotional descent. The film was produced by First Look International and released in 1994.
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