47 Ronin is a 2013 American fantasy action film directed by Carl Rinsch. The screenplay was written by Chris Morgan and Hossein Amini, based on a story by Morgan and Walter Hamada. The film provides a fictionalized and supernatural reimagining of the historical forty-seven rōnin, a group of samurai in 18th-century Japan who set out to avenge the death of their master, Lord Asano Naganori.
The film stars Keanu Reeves as Kai, an outcast of mixed ancestry created specifically for the film’s narrative. The supporting cast features several prominent Japanese actors, including Hiroyuki Sanada, Tadanobu Asano, Rinko Kikuchi, and Ko Shibasaki. While the core of the plot adheres to the basic framework of the historical Chūshingura (the treasury of loyal retainers), it departs significantly by incorporating elements of Japanese folklore and fantasy, such as witches, mythical beasts, and magic.
Produced by Universal Pictures, the film's production was characterized by a high budget, estimated at approximately $175 million. It was released in Japan on December 6, 2013, followed by a United States release on December 25, 2013.
Upon its release, 47 Ronin received generally negative reviews from film critics. Common points of criticism included the film’s pacing, character development, and the integration of Western narrative tropes into a traditional Japanese historical event. However, the film's costume design and visual effects were noted as highlights by some reviewers. Commercially, the film was a box office disappointment, failing to recover its substantial production and marketing costs, and it is frequently cited in cinematic history as a significant financial failure for its studio.