Plot: One moment of inattentiveness and Miyabi's daughter is gone forever. She feels incredibly guilty and has trouble getting on with her life, but she has to make ends meet and so she takes up a job as an escort. She is good at what she does and she finds another man, but the shadow of her daughter's death still looms over her life. One day she meets up with a new client, who wants to take photographs of her. Technically forbidden, Miyabi obliges, as her client seems harmless enough and it's easy money. Soon af
Watches
June 28, 2023
An absolute mood bomb. The plot is cryptic and the pacing is slow, so beware if you're looking for a narrative-oriented film, you're barking up the wrong tree. This is all about alienation, brooding soundtracks, and atmospheric cinematography. The mix of mystery and horror works very well, as it is layered on top of a character portrait of a grieving mother. Strong performances, stylistic excellence, and a dedicated focus on mood make this a rare gem. It's somewhat of a throwback to the more adventurous Japanese cinema that reigned supreme two decades ago. I'm ready for a second round if it means seeing more films like this making the cut. Superb.
