Action Cult Classic

A convicted widow is forced into deadly missions for a shot at freedom—and her son.

PRISONER MARIA: THE MOVIE

1995 · 1h 15m · R · Action / Crime / Drama / Romance / Thriller · IMDB TMDB

A prisoner with a life sentence, does the dirty work for cops in exchange to see her son in brief moments and the possibility of reversing her sentence.

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Quick Answer

What is Prisoner Maria: The Movie about?

Prisoner Maria: The Movie is a 1995 Japanese action, crime, drama, romance, and thriller film directed by Shūji Kataoka about a woman coerced into becoming a government assassin in exchange for reduced prison time and brief visits with her son.

Programmer's Pick

Prisoner Maria: The Movie knows its genre: equal parts hard-hitting action and tragic noir, with a tough-as-nails heroine at its center. If you like your women in prison with a side of gun-fu and government double-cross, Maria’s your gal.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Maria, condemned to a life sentence for killing the drug dealer responsible for her husband's death, finds herself at the mercy of the government. In exchange for fleeting moments with her son and the promise of sentence reductions, she is blackmailed into becoming a covert assassin. Each mission she undertakes furthers the authorities' aims while pulling her deeper into a world of violence and manipulation. As Maria navigates the treacherous line between survival and morality, her hope for a peaceful future grows ever more distant, and the cost of her freedom becomes increasingly unclear. This film blends the intensity of action and crime with emotional stakes rooted in her fight for redemption.

Details & Specs

Director: Shūji Kataoka
Writers: Shigeru Tsuchiyama, Keiji Nakazawa
Release: 1995
Runtime: 1h 15m
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Genres: Action, Crime, Drama, Romance, Thriller
Also Known As: Joshu shokeinin Maria: Gekijo-ban (original title)

Cast & Crew

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Director: Shūji Kataoka Writers: Shigeru Tsuchiyama +1 more

Noriko Aota Maria

Tetsuo Kurata Igarasi

Kōji Shimizu

Minako Ogawa SS Shiro Shimogen MS Masahiro Sudo

Explore More

Women In Prison Female Nudity Murder Female Topless Nudity Violence Nudity Female Frontal Nudity Sex Scene Death Police Fight Gun Knife Shootout Fistfight Shotgun Seduction

Why Cult

Women in Prison Twist

Maria's incarceration isn't just about survival—she's coerced into becoming a government assassin, giving the women-in-prison trope a dangerous new edge.

Gun-Fu Action

Bar shootouts, street gunfights, and martial arts brawls dominate as Maria navigates a violent underworld armed with both skill and desperation.

Tough Anti-Heroine

Noriko Aota's Maria is an anti-heroine forced to fight for her freedom, her family, and her soul, blending vulnerability with relentless resolve.

Japanese Crime Drama

Set against the backdrop of yakuza, triads, and corrupt officials, the film delivers a distinctly Japanese take on action-packed crime and redemption.