Marebito (2004)

Movie Rating NR Contains: Strong Language Violence Graphic Violence Gore Sex Nudity Mature Situations

Director: Takashi Shimizu Movie Genre: Horror, Character Study Country: Japan Marebito Score Card The following scores are based on a 0.0 to 10.0 rating scale Hover your mouse pointer over the name of each scoring category below for a description Direction: 7.0 Writing: 5.6 Acting: 6.5 Cinematography: 6.6 Sound and Score: 5.5 Functionality: 7.0 Presentation: 6.8 Genre Comparison: 7.0 General Comparison: 6.0 Overall: 6.4 Reviewed 2006-05-08 22:29:12

Takashi Shimizu's Marebito is quite the deviation from the standard Asian horror fare. This movie serves as a cinematic meditation on the nature of fear. It stars Shinya Tsukamoto as Masuoka, a freelance cameraman investigating rumors of ghosts haunting the subways of Japan. While in the subway, Masuoka does not find any evidence of ghosts, but instead witnesses a man commit suicide by stabbing himself in the eye. Masuoka assumes that this man killed himself this way because he saw something that scared him so much he decided to eliminate the possibility of being scared in that way again. After this event Masuoka becomes obsessed with the nature of fear, which leads him back to the subways in search of what scared that man so much. While underground, Masuoka comes across a frail, nude, young woman on the verge of death. He takes this woman home and attempts to nurse her back to health. Masuoka's obsession with terror takes on a new light when he finds out that this young woman needs human blood to survive.

Masuoka's occupation as a freelance cameraman allows for some interesting stylistic traits. The digital camerawork makes this movie feel more like a documentary than a work of fiction. Also, the fact that Masuoka's apartment is under constant video surveillance does not seem out of place but, in this instance, only adds depth to his character.

Marebito is a strange movie. It is both a horror movie and a character study. There are several plot points that seem to be in place only to stray away from the central narrative and help the audience to identify with the confusion that Masuoka experiences. There is a well telegraphed twist in the ending that provides more explanation than jaw-dropping surprise.

It is hard to believe that this movie was shot in 8 weeks during the time between Shimizu's Ju-on and its American remake, The Grudge. This movie shows that there is much more to Shimizu than the many incarnations of Ju-on and all of its remakes. While there were a few aspects that warranted further exploration, as a whole, Marebito is a very satisfying movie.