Review published 9th March 2026

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A Hot-Headed Cop Forced to Confront His Past and His Mistakes

In France, Hubert (Jean Reno) is a tough policeman whose methods of bringing bad guys to justice are questionable and not always by the book. Whenever fists are raised or gunfire erupts, Hubert’s super strength, combined with his anger, often sends bad guys flying across the room, landing either in jail or the hospital.  During his most recent bust, Hubert mistakenly throws a powerful punch at an innocent man who also happens to be the chief’s son. When Hubert attempts to apologise, further injuries result from accidental errors on his part, putting him in even deeper trouble and forcing him to take a break from work.  Making matters worse, Hubert’s current partner, Sofia (Carole Bouquet), feels he is not ready for a real, deep relationship because he has not fully moved on from his previous partner, Miko (Yuki Sakai), who left him heartbroken.

A Daughter, A Secret Past, and a Deadly Mystery in Japan

Surprisingly, Hubert receives a phone call letting him know Miko has passed away. Due to a will reading scheduled to take place in Japan, Hubert urgently packs his bags to attend.  At the reading, Hubert is left with several strange objects and one final request: to take care of Miko’s daughter, Yumi (Ryôko Hirosue). He is naturally stunned when he realises that he is, in fact, Yumi’s father and had no idea she even existed. Yumi herself has no idea that Hubert is her father.  Accepting what has been asked of him, Hubert agrees to look after Yumi for a couple of days until she turns nineteen, at which point she will be legally old enough to care for herself. However, Hubert also begins to question the mysterious circumstances surrounding Miko’s death and soon discovers there may be more to it than first meets the eye. As he investigates, matters only become more complicated, especially when a group of mysterious men begin to follow and attempt to capture both Hubert and Yumi.

From the Director of Taxi, with a Script from Luc Besson

Wasabi was directed by Gérard Krawczyk, whose past work behind the camera includes Taxi 2 (2000), Taxi 3 (2003), Taxi 4 (2007), Heroines (1997), and many more. A surprise going into this film was discovering that it was both written and produced by Luc Besson.  If you are not aware, Luc Besson is a well-known filmmaker responsible for titles such as Léon: The Professional, which also stars Jean Reno; as well as Lucy (2014); The Fifth Element (1997); Anna (2019); Dracula (2025); and more.

Silly, Action-Packed Fun That Never Takes Itself Seriously

Wasabi is a comedy and action feature with a minor thriller element that is introduced later in the story. In terms of comedy, several jokes feel deliberately spoofy and silly. This includes seeing Hubert’s enormous strength, as he can punch people so hard they fly across the room, along with watching his world go from bad to completely worse as the film progresses. Much of this is played for laughs, including the unexpected reveal that Hubert is, in fact, a father who must step up and accept his newfound responsibilities.  The action sequences are also comedic and highly unrealistic, yet I remained entertained no matter how far-fetched everything became. Not only is Hubert incredibly strong, but he can also take down bad guys silently and undetected, and he displays other random talents, including using a golf club to defeat his enemies.  Nothing about Wasabi should be taken seriously. Instead, it is light-hearted, silly, and filled with harmless gags that showcase a fun, charming side of Jean Reno as a performer.

Forgettable Villains and Comedy That Does Not Always Land

As for the film’s villains, this is an area I found to be quite forgettable. The many bad guys Hubert encounters are often so dim-witted that you begin to wonder how they manage to tie their shoelaces in the morning. While I understand the film is aiming for light-hearted comedy, not all of the jokes worked for me. In fact, many felt predictable, cheesy, or even a little painful to watch.  This is especially true of the side character Maurice, also known as Momo (Michel Muller), who shares a secret past with Hubert. Although he is willing to do anything to support him, his constant mistakes are played for laughs, and the humour does not always land as intended.

A Fun, Silly Ride Let Down by Forgettable Villains

Overall, Wasabi is a playful comedy-action film that requires very little thought and is packed with cringeworthy moments, once again played for laughs. I can completely understand why many viewers would enjoy the silliness and downright wackiness of some of the fight scenes and gags. It is great to see Jean Reno clearly having a great time, even if not every joke lands.  The plot outline is simple. Watching a man fall from one bad situation into another is not entirely new, but it remains entertaining, especially with the vibrant Japanese setting surrounding the story.  Ultimately, the biggest letdown is the film’s villains, particularly the central antagonist and the thriller elements woven into the narrative, which feel underdeveloped and largely forgettable even as the credits roll.

Wasabi (2001) is Now Available on Blu-ray thanks to Umbrella!

About the Reviewer

Peter Walkden

Film writer and curator with a deep passion for cinema, genre filmmaking, and physical media. Exploring new releases, cult favourites, and overlooked films, with a strong focus on atmosphere, storytelling, and the theatrical experience.

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