This week’s VHS Strikes Back pick comes from Patreon supporter Timothy, and he’s chosen Out for Justice from 1991. By this point, Steven Seagal had already punched and wrist-locked his way into Hollywood as the latest in a long line of action stars. Out for Justice was his fourth movie in just a few years, with Warner Bros. doubling down on his image as a ponytailed, tough-talking enforcer. Unlike the big, explosive blockbusters of Stallone or Schwarzenegger, Seagal’s films leaned on a supposed “authentic” martial arts style — though whether that really translated to convincing screen action is up for debate.
The film was directed by John Flynn, a respected filmmaker who had delivered solid crime thrillers like The Outfit and Best Seller. Flynn brought a gritty, street-level feel to the project, shooting largely on location in Brooklyn. Behind the scenes, however, reports suggest the production wasn’t the easiest, with Seagal throwing his weight around and shaping both the story and the fight scenes to suit his ego. Despite mixed reviews, Out for Justice still turned a tidy profit at the box office — proof that in the early ’90s, audiences were still willing to buy what Seagal was selling, even if the moves looked more like clumsy shoves than martial arts mastery.
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Trailer Guy Plot Summary
Brooklyn, 1991. The streets are mean, the accents are thick, and justice… wears a ponytail. Steven Seagal is Gino Felino, a cop with a badge, a bad attitude, and a fighting style that looks suspiciously like pushing people through windows.
When crime takes over his neighborhood, one man will grunt, squint, and wrist-lock his way to vengeance. He’s not fast, he’s not flashy… but he’s got a leather jacket, and apparently that’s enough. Steven Seagal is… Out for Justice.
Fun Facts
Out for Justice was Steven Seagal’s fourth starring role, following Above the Law (1988), Hard to Kill (1990), and Marked for Death (1990).
The film was directed by John Flynn, who also made Lock Up (1989) with Sylvester Stallone.
Seagal’s character, Gino Felino, was originally written with a more serious tone, but many critics felt Seagal’s wooden delivery undercut the drama.
The movie was shot in Brooklyn, New York, and made heavy use of authentic neighborhood locations.
William Forsythe plays the villain Richie, and he reportedly gained weight for the role to emphasize his character’s sleaziness.
Despite being marketed as a martial arts showcase, Seagal uses very little traditional martial arts in Out for Justice — relying instead on Aikido wrist locks and throws.
The film’s tagline was: “He’s a cop. It’s a dirty job… but somebody’s got to take out the garbage.”
Critics often describe Out for Justice as one of Seagal’s “grittier” early films, though many also call it one of his most unintentionally funny.
The film opened at number one at the U.S. box office, grossing over $10 million in its opening weekend.
Out for Justice has become something of a cult favorite for fans of “so-bad-it’s-good” action cinema, especially among Steven Seagal skeptics.
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