Common Sense Media Review
By JK Sooja
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Japanese romantic drama has graphic violence, sex, nudity.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Ride or Die
What's the Story?
In RIDE OR DIE, Rei Nagasawa (Kiko Mizuhara) has loved Nanae Shinoda (Honami Satô) since high school. But in the years since, they each have gone their own ways. Suddenly, Rei is contacted by Nanae, and they meet up. After reconnecting, Nanae confesses that her husband routinely beats her, and because of this, she wants to die. She also wants her husband to die, and who knows how far Rei will go to protect the one she loves?
Is It Any Good?
This film is too long, and many viewers might find its heavy and gratuitous sexual content unjustified. Unfortunately, Ride or Die might simply just work better as a manga (as it was adapted from) or piece of literature. Specifically, Chin Nakamura's original scope and design of Rei and Nanae were arguably meant to be much more normative, average, and likeable as people. This way, when they end up doing the things they do, the juxtaposition is better realized, which makes for a clearer commentary on Japanese society. But in this film adaptation, Rei and Nanae, and especially Rei, come across as odd, wild, and easily motivated to kill, for example. Part of this might also have to do with the sequencing of these story elements, as the film provides little context (outside of brief high school flashbacks) into Rei and Nanae's love and relationship before the event the causes them to go on the run. Ultimately, these issues, along with general pacing and tone problems, as well as being way too long, keep Ride or Die from being enjoyable.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about sexual content in romantic dramas. Do you think all the sexual content and nudity in Ride or Die was warranted? Why or why not?
Discuss the brutal violence in the film. Why do you think the violence was depicted so brazenly? If the film were to have muted its violence, would it be less or more successful? Why?
Do you think the love between Rei and Nanae was represented well? What would you have changed?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : April 15, 2021
- Cast : Kiko Mizuhara , Honami Sato , Yoko Maki , Minami Sara
- Director : Ryuichi Hiroki
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Friendship
- Run time : 142 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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