Director: Tai Kato
Notable Cast: Junko Fuji, Koji Tsuruta
As we reach the final stretch in reviewing the films in the
main Red Peony Gambler series, it’s fascinating to see how each entry
takes the basic formula, themes, and characters and then adds just enough individualistic
pizzazz to set them apart from one another. Even if I was binge-watching them
all in a row, there is a sense that many of the entries would pop due to these
small and often unique tones. With that in mind and the general roller coaster
ride that goes with the quality of the films (most are solid with just nuanced
shifts of effectiveness to their storytelling,) the seventh entry of the
series, Red Peony Gambler 7: Here to Kill You, is a shockingly impressive
entry. The story is impressively relevant to this day, there are plenty of key
sequences to appreciate, and there is an emotional journey in Oryu’s story that
makes it one of the more poignant entries. It’s not without its flaws, but for
fans, this one easily stands out as one of the franchises best.