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Drama horror film

Kuso (2017): Cast, Ratings & Where to Watch

Kuso (2017) movie poster

Kuso is a 2017 drama horror film directed by Flying Lotus, starring Tim Heidecker, Hannibal Buress and Byron Bowers. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes and was made on a reported $400,000 budget. Critics gave it 33% on Rotten Tomatoes and 51 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.8/10. Stream it on AMC Plus and AMC+, or rent or buy it on Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home.

IMDb rating
4.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
33%
Echo Score
43
Metascore
51
Kuso (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 45m (105 min)
Director
Flying Lotus
Genres
Drama , Horror
Original language
English
Budget
$400K
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Kuso About?

The premise of Kuso without spoilers.

In a post-apocalyptic Los Angeles, fractured and devastated, a group of survivors shares their disturbing experiences through a collection of recovered televisions. These broadcasts depict a descent into madness as the survivors recount their harrowing tales, blurring the lines between reality and nightmare. The unsettling narrative blends elements of drama and horror, portraying a world irrevocably changed.

Kuso Themes & Keywords

· 27 tags
  • surrealism
  • animated sequence
  • part animated
  • scene after end credits
  • anthology
  • no opening credits
  • character says i love you
  • excrement
  • gross out
  • breasts
  • transgressive film
  • female full frontal nudity
+15 more
  • 2010s
  • for grown ups animation
  • live action animation
  • male nudity
  • watching tv
  • female nudity
  • pregnancy test
  • vomiting
  • money
  • feature film directorial debut
  • first feature
  • music score composed by director
  • porn actor in mainstream movie
  • one word title
  • black director
Where to watch

Where to Watch Kuso

Stream it on AMC Plus and AMC+, or rent or buy it from Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Kuso Cast

Tim Heidecker leads the cast, with Hannibal Buress and Byron Bowers. Directed by Flying Lotus; 10 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Kuso Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Kuso 33% on Rotten Tomatoes and 51 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 43/100, strongest in art & craft (60) and weakest in rewatch factor (25).

43 /100

Kuso Echo Score Breakdown

The film’s most notable quality is its fiercely imaginative visual style, though its extreme grotesquerie undermines broader appeal. Critics and viewers agree that the patchwork of surreal vignettes resists coherent unity, resulting in a challenging narrative flow. At the same time, many acknowledge moments of striking animation and audacious practical effects that break through the repulsive imagery. Overall, the net impression is of a divisive work whose bold artistry is counterbalanced by a lack of narrative consistency.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 60

    In terms of art and craft, Kuso presents a highly imaginative visual design tempered by uneven cohesion. The layering of animated textures and practical effects receives occasional praise for inventive grotesquerie, yet critics note that the direction’s patchwork structure hampers visual continuity. While some find the production design striking in its shock value, the overall impression is of a fragmented aesthetic that oscillates between inspired and disjointed.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    In the area of character and emotion, Kuso struggles to establish meaningful depth. Observers often cite minimal character development and a focus on grotesque imagery over human connection, which limits emotional resonance. While a few viewers appreciate the dark humor and moments of absurd wit, the film largely relies on shock rather than nuanced performances. Consequently, the net effect is an underdeveloped interplay of persona and pathos.

  • Story & Flow 35

    When it comes to story and flow, Kuso exhibits a fragmented narrative that many find disjointed. Reviewers frequently mention the lack of coherent plot progression and repetitive vignettes that impede engagement. Though some argue the surreal structure reflects thematic boldness, most note that the film’s episodic scenes fail to build momentum or clarify purpose. The result is a challenging storyline that obscures rather than advances viewer investment.

  • Sensory Experience 50

    In terms of sensory experience, Kuso delivers a bold but polarizing mix of sound and visuals. The soundtrack and sound design amplify the grotesque atmosphere, while the visual style employs an unsettling collage of textures and practical effects. Some praise its hallucinatory impact and inventive shock value, but others find the relentless extremity overwhelming. Overall, the sensory assault is both a defining strength and a barrier to broader appeal.

  • Rewatch Factor 25

    When considering rewatch factor, Kuso exhibits limited replay appeal due to its extreme content. Viewers note that the film’s relentless focus on grotesquerie and disjointed scenes discourages subsequent viewings. While a niche audience may revisit certain imaginative sequences, most find the unsettling themes and incoherent structure outweigh any incentive to return. As a result, the overall lasting appeal remains constrained to a small subset of adventurous viewers.

Videos

Kuso Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Kuso.

KUSO Official Trailer (2017) Flying Lotus Movie HD - A Shudder Exclusive
Cars

Cars in Kuso

4 cars on screen, including the Honda Acty Van and the 2001 Mitsubishi ek Wagon.

  • Honda Acty Van in Kuso Honda Acty Van Background role
  • 2001 Mitsubishi ek Wagon in Kuso 2001 Mitsubishi ek Wagon Background role
  • 2001 Nissan Wingroad in Kuso 2001 Nissan Wingroad Background role
  • unknown in Kuso unknown Background role
Details

Kuso Also Known As

3 alternative titles, including “Кусо” and “쿠소”.

Also known as
  • Кусо
  • 쿠소
  • 粪作

Seen Kuso?

FAQ

Kuso FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, budget, ratings and post-credit scenes of Kuso, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Kuso?

Kuso runs 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes).

When was Kuso released?

Kuso was released on July 21, 2017.

Who directed Kuso?

Kuso was directed by Flying Lotus.

More films by Flying Lotus

Who is in the cast of Kuso?

Kuso stars Tim Heidecker, Hannibal Buress and Byron Bowers, among 10 credited actors.

Where can I watch Kuso?

In the US, Kuso is streaming on AMC Plus, AMC+ and Hoopla and available to rent or buy on Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home and Google Play Movies (availability from JustWatch).

What was the budget of Kuso?

Kuso had a reported budget of $400,000.

How is Kuso rated?

Kuso has 4.8/10 on IMDb, 33% on Rotten Tomatoes, 51 on Metacritic and 55% on TMDB.

Does Kuso have a post-credit scene?

No. Kuso has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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