Keishi Kondo

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.