Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!
| Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty! | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Josef Kubota Wladyka |
| Written by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Daniel Satinoff |
| Edited by | Benjamin Rodriguez, Jr. |
| Music by | Nathan Halpern |
Production company | JDM Pictures |
| Distributed by | Sony Pictures Classics |
Release dates |
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Running time | 122 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Languages |
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Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty! is a 2026 American drama film directed by Josef Kubota Wladyka and written by Wladyka and Nicholas Huynh. It stars Rinko Kikuchi, Alberto Guerra, Alejandro Edda, You, Yoh Yoshida, and Damián Alcázar.
The film marks a stylistic departure for Wladyka, moving from the gritty thrillers of his previous work into a music-driven character study.[1] It premiered in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Directing Award Dramatic, and is scheduled to be theatrically released in the United States on September 25, 2026.[2][3]
Premise
Haru (Rinko Kikuchi) and Luis (Alejandro Edda) are passionate competitors in the Tokyo ballroom dance scene. After a tragedy causes Haru to withdraw into isolation, her friends coax her back to the studio, where she develops an infatuation with a new instructor (Alberto Guerra). As sparks fly, Haru must navigate her grief and her newfound desire.[4]
Cast
- Rinko Kikuchi as Haru
- Alberto Guerra as Fedir
- Alejandro Edda as Luis
- You as Hiromi
- Yoh Yoshida as Yuki
- Damián Alcázar as Jacobo
- Keren Louis as Mila
- Charley Flyte as Sasha
Production
The film is directed by Josef Kubota Wladyka, who previously collaborated with lead actress Rinko Kikuchi on the Max series Tokyo Vice, where he directed episodes and she starred as Emi Maruyama.[5] Wladyka also serves as a producer alongside Kimberly Parker Zox and Mao Nagakura.
The project highlights a unique cultural intersection, featuring a Japanese lead cast alongside prominent Latin American actors Alberto Guerra and Damián Alcázar.[6] The film features dialogue shifts between Japanese, English, and Spanish.[7]
Release
Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty! premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2026, where it won the Directing Award Dramatic.[8][9] A week later, Sony Pictures Classics acquired distribution rights to the film.[10] The film is scheduled for a theatrical release in the United States on September 25, 2026.
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 94% of 33 critics' reviews are positive.
Critics broadly praised the film's visual style and its handling of grief. Taylor Gates of Collider called it "the dance party we need," highlighting the film's vibrant color palette and stylish energy.[11] Blake Simons of The Film Stage wrote that the film "feels nothing short of revelatory."[12] Caryn James of The Hollywood Reporter described it as "a surprisingly buoyant, unsentimental film about grief," noting the shifts between comedy, poignant emotion, and surrealism that echo the film's trilingual dialogue.[13]
Several critics singled out Rinko Kikuchi's performance. Kate Erbland of IndieWire praised her "lovely performance," while Patrick Gibbs of Slug Magazine suggested Kikuchi could be "a dark horse Oscar contender."[14][15] Katie Rife of The Wrap noted the personal dimension of the project, observing that "the director's heartfelt affection for his mom permeates the film."[16]
Other reviewers focused on the film's musical set pieces. Glenn Garner of Deadline highlighted a train-set dance sequence using practical effects, and Johnny Oleksinski of the New York Post called it a "delirious gem" full of "joyous company numbers."[17][18] Dillon Gonzales of Geek Vibes Nation and Rebecca Sharp of Filmotomy both pointed to the film's blending of magical realism with grounded emotional drama.[19] [20]
Accolades
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sundance Film Festival | 2026 | Directing Award: U.S. Dramatic | Ha-Chan Shake Your Booty! | Won | [21] |
| Grand Jury Prize: U.S. Dramatic | Josephine | Nominated |
References
- ↑ Perez, Rodrigo (December 10, 2025). "Sundance 2026: New Films From Olivia Wilde, Josephine Decker, Alex Gibney, Gregg Araki, Kogonada, Jay Duplass [Full Lineup]". The Playlist. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
- ↑ "The Friend's House Is Here". Sundance Film Festival. December 10, 2025. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
- ↑ Kaser, Anna (January 30, 2026). "2026 Sundance Film Festival Announces Award Winners". Sundance.org. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
- ↑ "2026 Sundance Film Festival Program: Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!". Sundance Film Festival. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
- ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 10, 2025). "Sundance 2026 Lineup Includes Films With Jenna Ortega, Charli XCX, Seth Rogen, Russell Crowe, Ethan Hawke & More In Park City Finale". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
- ↑ "Sundance 2026 Announces US Latinx and Latin American Selections". Cinema Tropical. December 12, 2025. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
- ↑ James, Caryn (January 23, 2026). "'Ha-chan, Shake Your Booty!' Review: A Japanese Widow Dances Her Way Back to Life in a Lovely Comic Drama". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
- ↑ "2026 Sundance Film Festival unveils final Park City line-up". Screen Daily. December 10, 2025. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
- ↑ Kaser, Anna (January 30, 2026). "2026 Sundance Film Festival Announces Award Winners". Sundance.org. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
- ↑ Lang, Brett; Donnelly, Matt (January 29, 2026). "Sundance: Sony Pictures Classics Buys Crowd-Pleasing Drama 'Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!'". Variety. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
- ↑ Gates, Taylor (February 3, 2026). "'Ha-chan, Shake Your Booty!' Review: Sundance's Near-Perfect Comedy Is the Dance Party We Need". Collider. Retrieved July 29, 2026.
- ↑ Simons, Blake (February 5, 2026). "Sundance Review: Ha-chan, Shake Your Booty! Will Sweep You Off Your Feet". Retrieved July 29, 2026.
- ↑ James, Caryn (January 23, 2026). "'Ha-chan, Shake Your Booty!' Review: A Japanese Widow Dances Her Way Back to Life in a Lovely Comic Drama". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 29, 2026.
- ↑ Erbland, Kate (January 23, 2026). "'Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!' Review: An Exuberant and Whimsical New Spin on the Grief Drama". IndieWire. Retrieved July 29, 2026.
- ↑ Garcia, Angela (January 23, 2026). "Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty! Is About Learning How To Dance Again - SLUG Magazine". www.slugmag.com. Retrieved July 29, 2026.
- ↑ Rife, Katie (January 23, 2026). "'Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!' Review: Rinko Kinkuchi and a Singular Tone Keep Quirky Dramedy on Beat". TheWrap. Retrieved July 29, 2026.
- ↑ Garner, Glenn (January 23, 2026). "'Ha-chan, Shake Your Booty!' Review: Japanese Comedy-Drama Dances Through Grief With Heart & Absurd Whimsy — Sundance Film Festival". Deadline. Retrieved July 29, 2026.
- ↑ "Fabulous indie gem 'Ha-chan, Shake Your Booty!' is an early Sundance highlight you'll love". January 23, 2026. Retrieved July 29, 2026.
- ↑ Sharp, Rebecca (February 3, 2026). "Sundance Film Festival Review: Ha-chan, Shake Your Booty!". Filmotomy. Retrieved July 29, 2026.
- ↑ Gonzales, Dillon (February 10, 2026). "'Ha-chan, Shake Your Booty!' Review - Rinko Kikuchi Dazzles In Whimsical Dramedy". Geek Vibes Nation. Retrieved July 29, 2026.
- ↑ Bahr, Lindsey (January 30, 2026). "Sundance Film Festival: Channing Tatum drama 'Josephine' wins top jury and audience awards". AP News. Retrieved July 27, 2026.