‘Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo’ First Look: Takashi Miike Returns with a Japanese Neo-Noir Saga

The “Bad Lieutenant” pseudo-franchise is one of the more unorthodox pieces of intellectual property floating around Hollywood. The series launched with a 1992 Abel Ferrara movie starring Harvey Keitel as a corrupt, nameless, drug-addicted NYPD cop who endures a crisis of faith amid all of the brutality he witnesses on a daily basis. Ferrara never wanted a follow-up, but 17 years later, Werner Herzog unofficially picked up the mantle by directing “Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans,” a darkly funny cop story starring Nicolas Cage in the titular role.

There’s no official connection between the films, and Ferrara famously disavowed Herzog’s film and said he hoped Herzog and Cage would “die in Hell” for making it, but the films are forever associated in the minds of many cinephiles. And now a third legendary director is putting his spin on things with his own “Bad Lieutenant” story about a corrupt police officer.

IndieWire can exclusively reveal the first look at Takashi Miike‘s “Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo,” a new film from the ever-prolific “Audition” director set beneath the bright lights of Tokyo. The neo-noir, written by Miike’s frequent collaborator Daisuke Tengan, stars Lily James, Shun Oguri, and WWE wrestler Liv Morgan.

An official synopsis for the film reads: “A disgraced Tokyo detective spirals into a world of corruption, addiction, and violence as he becomes entangled in a twisted investigation involving a vengeful ex-yakuza, an enigmatic FBI agent, and a missing daughter of a powerful American family.”

“A team of incredibly talented actors and crew has gathered in Tokyo. Now. I’m about to throw a fastball straight down the middle of your strike zone — no tricks, no gimmicks,” Miike said in a statement when the film was first announced in 2025. “I’m confident we are about to break through every limit, to create unforgettable entertainment. Get ready for the ride with us!!”

“Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo” will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. Neon will release the film domestically at an unspecified later date, and is also handling international sales for the film. Keep reading for first look images from the film, exclusively on IndieWire.

‘Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo’

‘Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo’

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