TORMENTED
by Andrew Anselmo
Starring Teruyuki Kagawa, Hikari Mitsushima, Tamaki Ogawa
Written by Takashi Shimizu, Sotaro Hiyashi and Daisuke Hosaka
Director Takashi Shimizu
Running Time 83 min.
Selig film Rating FULL PRICE
Two words. Visually fantastic. Two more. Exhilarating ride.
Tormented is, was – seeing as how I saw the midnight screening last night – a heart pounding rollercoaster excursion into a twisted foray of one's own mind. From the opening shot to the last image, I was enthralled and completely involved.
From director Takashi Shimizu (The Grudge, 2004), Tormented is a Japanese horror film, that tells the story of one woman's lingering guilt.
Daigo, Kiriko's younger brother, is haunted by a ghostly bunny after he kills the rabbit belonging to his school. Teased by his classmates, he is consequently homeschooled by Kiriko, and that is when the story really begins to set in and the frights come out. Daigo's wild imagination takes him to the fantastical world of the bunnyman; a themepark.
There he begins to unravel the mystery of the bunnyman and learn of his true identity.
When asked what the difference was between American horror and Japanese horror, during the Q&A segment of lastnights activities, Shimizu answered through his interpreter, "It's pretty obvious that American audiences like things that jump out at them, or loud noises that temporarily produce fright, but in Japanese culture, we like things that linger. I'm trying to blend the two together."
If you like horror films, you will most likely prefer this film. If you like psychological thrillers, you too will find it amusing. If you like mysteries, then I highly suggest that you will be entertained.
Visually pleasing, wonderfully creative and pleasantly scary, Tormented is a fantastic watch!
You can catch it again tonight April 14th at 10:30 PM at the Magnolia in West Village.