Lionsgate has set a January 29, 2027 theatrical release date for Karoshi, a dystopian action thriller from filmmaker Takashi Doscher, produced by 87Eleven Entertainment, the production company behind the John Wick franchise.
Doscher wrote and directed the film, which is set in a near-future Manhattan where corporate loyalty and cultural tradition have reshaped everyday life. When a mysterious outsider infiltrates a powerful company following a worker’s death, he begins to pull back the layers of a violent system hidden beneath its polished surface. The title itself sets the tone: karoshi is a Japanese word meaning death from overwork, a recognized phenomenon describing employees who die from heart attacks, strokes, or stress-induced causes brought on by extreme workplace pressure.
The ensemble cast is led by Teo Yoo, best known for Past Lives, alongside Isabel May, Giancarlo Esposito, Cynthia Erivo, Takehiro Hira, Bill Camp, and Show Kasamatsu. Specific character details remain under wraps.
Described as a corporate thriller with a samurai twist, the film may carry the signature action style of 87Eleven, which is known for long continuous takes, precise choreography, and minimal reliance on shaky camera work or heavy digital effects. Given the samurai influence, blade combat and sword technique are expected to take center stage alongside the studio’s trademark blend of martial arts disciplines.
Producers include 87Eleven’s Chad Stahelski, Jason Spitz, Alex Young, and Nathan Kahane, with Sam Greenberg serving as executive producer.
Karoshi opens in theaters January 29, 2027.