J-Horror films have become something of a world phenomenon in recent years. Most of the horror films coming from the land of the rising sun have involved some sort of mysterious curse, or supernatural entity, leaving much to the imagination.
In today’s film, the director of previous J-Horror staples dabbles with “vampires”. Question is, does the film bring biting scares and thrills? Or does it simply suck?
31 Days of Howl-oween
A Review of Films Filled with Frights
Day 23
Film #23
~ Marebito ~
Director: Takashi Shimizu
Year: 2004
Cast: Shinya Tsukamoto, Tomomi Miyashita, Kazuhiro Nakahara, Miho Ninagawa
Language: Japanese
Country: Japan
Specs: 92 mins. / Color / OAR 1.85:1 / MPAA Rating: R
Masuoka (Tsukamoto) is a freelance cameraman who stumbles across a young naked woman (Miyashita) who lives in tunnels under Tokyo. He takes her into his home and soon learns she is vampiric in nature, needing a steady supply of blood in order to survive. He soon resorts to murdering innocent victims in caring for his animalistic subject.
A mysterious J-Horror film very much in the same vein as “Ringu” or “Ju-On” (Shimizu also directed, incidentally), but without the payoff of those other films. The film is shot on video, resembling “Blair Witch” and “Paranormal Activity”. However, unlike either of those films, “Marebito” features gruesome and morbid violence, with scenes of F licking blood, Masuoka dismembering his victims, and of course F drinking and lapping blood like a dog (Masuoka even considers her his pet).
The film certainly starts off with plenty of suspense, but by credits end, has meandered into a confusing foray into psychosis, with little to no answers to the questions introduced regarding Masuoka’s mental abilities.
Whereas the previously mentioned films left much to the imagination to provide scares and thrills, this film abandons that once F is introduced, and instead becomes a disturbing “love” tale.
A forgettable film, sadly, as the director has proved that he is very talented when it comes to creepy J-Horror. I do commend him for his experiment, however. Unfortunately, this test tube film is a dud.
J-snore.
My Rating: *** / C-
Available on Amazon: Marebito
or watch it instantly on your computer
on Amazon Video on Demand: Marebito
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