10 Hollywood Movie Easter Eggs Hidden in Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc
Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc is packed with clever nods to classic Hollywood films. Discover the iconic movie moments that inspired some of the anime’s most memorable scenes and see how Tatsuki Fujimoto’s love for cinema shines through in this highly anticipated release.
The debut of Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc in October 2025 has sent shockwaves through the anime world, but what’s really turning heads is how creator Tatsuki Fujimoto weaves his passion for Hollywood into the film. The movie is a treasure trove of cinematic homages, with scenes that pay tribute to some of the most legendary moments in film history.
Subtle Cinematic Homages
One of the more understated nods comes early on, as a plane soars above Reze—a direct visual echo of the 2001 Japanese drama Blue Spring. The composition and timing are nearly identical, making it clear this was no accident. Another clever reference appears when Denji rides a horse in a grayscale sequence, mirroring the iconic motion study from The Horse in Motion, also known as Sallie Gardner at a Gallop, which helped birth the art of cinema itself.
Angel’s entrance, floating down to the playground, may seem like a coincidence, but fans of the 2005 supernatural thriller Constantine will recognize the similarity to Lucifer Morningstar’s hospital arrival. Whether intentional or not, the parallel is hard to ignore.
Iconic Scenes Reimagined
There’s a moment when a single raindrop lands on Reze’s eye, a shot that closely mirrors a pivotal scene from the 2002 horror film 28 Days Later. The resemblance is striking, especially for those who remember the emotional weight of Frank’s fate in the original movie.
The film’s dance sequence, featuring Denji, Aki, and Power, is another standout. The choreography and energy are reminiscent of the memorable routines from the French classic Bande à part (1964) and the Italian masterpiece 8½ (1963), blending European cinema flair with anime style.
Fujimoto doesn’t shy away from referencing blockbusters either. The graveyard scene with Kishibe is a clear homage to Saving Private Ryan, capturing the somber mood and visual style of Spielberg’s World War II epic.
Playful and Dark Inspirations
Denji’s wild ride on Beam during the battle against Reze and the Typhoon Devil is both thrilling and familiar. The sequence draws inspiration from Despicable Me 2, where the villain El Macho makes a dramatic entrance atop a shark. Whether it’s a direct reference or just a fun parallel, the similarity adds a playful touch.
In a more intense moment, Denji is shown holding a bomb pin before an explosion—a subtle but unmistakable nod to Léon: The Professional. The scene mirrors Léon’s final act, where he hands a bomb pin to his adversary, leading to a dramatic conclusion.
Unforgettable Movie Moments
One of the film’s most shocking scenes features Reze decapitating herself and tossing her head, which detonates like a bomb. This sequence is nearly identical to a moment from the 2000 Japanese cult classic Battle Royale, where a severed head is used as an explosive device.
Perhaps the most direct homage comes when Reze turns on the Mysterious Man, choking him in a tense confrontation. The scene is recreated shot-for-shot from No Country for Old Men (2007), capturing the same raw intensity and suspense as the original.
Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc is produced by MAPPA and falls under the action, horror, and supernatural genres. It premiered in Japan on September 19, 2025, and in the US on October 24, 2025. The film has earned high marks, with an IMDb rating of 8.5/10 and a MAL score of 9.16/10. Currently, it’s available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.