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Fall Guy

Fall Guy

1982109 minMidcredits score: 76th percentile of all films
Director
Kinji Fukasaku
Starring
Keiko Matsuzaka, Morio Kazama, Mitsuru Hirata, Daijirô Harada

Ginshiro, threatened by poor repute and upcoming star Tachibana, forces his friend Yasu to marry Konatsu, Ginshiro's pregnant mistress; Yasu becomes a stuntman to make ends meet.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Fall Guy?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Fall Guy streaming on The Criterion Channel.

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Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Fall Guy?

Fall Guy earns 3 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Award Winner.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Fall Guy worth watching?

Fall Guy's Midcredits score is the 76th percentile of all films, from 2.2K ratings across 4 sources. 67% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

76th percentile

Better received than 76% of films

84th percentile among Comedy78th percentile among 1980s
Acclaim (how much people like it)75th
Approval (how many liked it)75th

69 /100

75th percentile of all films

83rd percentile among Comedy78th percentile among 1980s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.9 — solid but not unanimous.

67% liked it

75th percentile of all films

81st percentile among Comedy76th percentile among 1980s
67% rated it 7–1033% rated it 1–6

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 22 wins / 5 noms overall

Reach

How many have seen it

67th percentile

2.2K ratings across platforms

62nd percentile among Comedy63rd percentile among 1980s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 67% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

A quirky melodrama that mixes broad comedy with romantic drama, centered on the lives of film industry bit players and stuntmen.

Fans praised

  • first-half slapstick and behind-the-scenes samurai film satire
  • performances by Hirata and Matsuzaka bring emotional weight
  • climactic stunt sequence and practical effects deliver a satisfying payoff

What stands out

Ending85

Satisfying climax and finish that reward built-up tension

Acting80

Matsuzaka and Hirata shine; Kazama effective as egoist star

Effects and spectacle80

Practical stunts and blood effects impress; climax with stair fall is standout

Emotional impact70

Moving romantic drama and sad moments, including room-tearing scene

Characters65

Yasu's devotion and Konatsu's arc are compelling but sometimes overdone

Plot and story60

Story shifts from comedy to melodrama, loses focus but builds to strong finish

Humor55

First half slapstick lands, but comedy fades; tone inconsistent

Pacing45

First half funny, second half drags as comedy dissipates, inconsistent momentum

Watch experience

What is Fall Guy like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Romantic: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are in the mood for a love story.

It has a few laughs and leaves you feeling good.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Nothing out of the ordinary.

What it feels like

Romantic.

The answer rests on this: Moods
RomanticTenseMelancholic
Heaviest: late
Satirical humor
Register
PlayfulRomantic · 8% of filmsSatirical · 5% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film begins as a farcical satire of movie-star egos but gradually becomes a sincere, romantic melodrama about a stuntman's devotion.
The rideThe film moves from broad comedy to strained romantic drama, with the heaviest emotional weight concentrated in the final act's stunt and resolution.
StructureThe story unfolds chronologically from the film-set comedy to the dramatic stunt finale, with a linear three-act structure.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

Feel-goodCathartic · 6% of films
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves you satisfied with Yasu's triumph and the happy family, while the meta-ending adds a playful, uplifting note.
How it ends · evidence
Happy endingTwist

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Rebirth
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13% (this title): Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2% (this title)
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Rebirth: A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed. · Second chance: A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).

13% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeThe story follows Yasu, a bit player who marries his boss's pregnant mistress and discovers his own worth through devotion and love, transforming his stagnant life.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfSelf-worth
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% (this title) · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4% (this title)
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% (this title) · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Self-worth · 7% of filmsLoyalty · 4% of filmsParenthood · 2% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Dual lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores a bit-player's journey to self-worth through sacrifice, loyalty, and the embrace of an unexpected family.
StanceThe film celebrates the quiet heroism of a bit player who discovers his own worth through devotion and love.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanInstitutionalRealistic
Orchestral classicalSupportive music · original score · Masato Kai
SettingA Toei film studio in Kamata, Tokyo, and the lives of its bit players and stars.
MusicThe score recalls Michel Legrand's style, adding romantic elegance.

Content guide

Is Fall Guy okay for kids?

As of October 2, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (33/100), sexual content at intense (67/100), language at mild (33/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (33/100) and frightening material at minimal (0/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Overall
Moderate · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Mild
too few votes to rank (1 vote)
Sex & Nudity
Intense
too few votes to rank (2 votes)
Profanity
Mild
too few votes to rank (1 vote)
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
too few votes to rank (1 vote)
Frightening / Intense
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (1 vote)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (6 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Fall Guy have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Fall Guy?

Cast

Keiko Matsuzaka
as Konatsu
Morio Kazama
as Ginshiro
Mitsuru Hirata
as Yasu
Daijirô Harada
as Tachibana
Keizō Kanie
as Film Director
Rei Okamoto
as Toku-san
Hyōe Enoki
as Tome
Nagare Hagiwara
as Yuji
Shin'ichi Chiba
as Actor
Nijiko Kiyokawa
as Yasu's mother

Crew

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3.6K other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: melodrama. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.